Reigning and undisputed ONE bantamweight kickboxing world champion and former two-sport king 'The General' Jonathan Haggerty of the United Kingdom is widely regarded as one of the most accomplished strikers in the world today.
And he would never have reached this level in his career and life if it were not for the decision he made long ago to become a martial artist.
Haggerty grew up in a fighting household, with his father owning a mixed martial arts gym in London. You could say that fighting was in 'The General's blood.
Speaking in a recent guest appearance on the Winners Talking podcast, Haggerty talked about first picking up martial arts when he was a young boy.
The 27-year-old Knowlesy Academy and Team Underground representative stated:
"I started training at about six years old. Straight in. So I was at football, I was enjoying football, and then as I grew up I had to start choosing between football or fighting and I don't know why I chose to get punched in the face for a living. But I did and it's paying off and I'm thankful and I'm enjoying it, that's the main thing. The main thing is I'm enjoying it. So yeah, since I was six."
Haggerty has built a legendary career in ONE Championship, having won world titles across two different weight divisions and in two different sports. He is without a doubt one of the promotion's biggest stars today.
Jonathan Haggerty says he is building himself as this generation's best English fighter: "It’s my time"
'The General' Jonathan Haggerty comes from a storied tradition of martial arts in the United Kingdom, and he believes he's leading his generation as its best fighter.
He told Winners Talking podcast:
"Yeah, for sure. It’s the passing of the torch now. It’s my time. I think I’ve paved the way now. Especially in ONE Championship. I think I was the first Brit in ONE Championship. Got the belt. Got the world title. Opened up the door for a lot of UK fighters."
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