Two-sport king Jonathan Haggerty says pre-fight nerves remind him that he’s ‘the best in the world’

Photo Credit: ONE Championship
Photo Credit: ONE Championship

Even as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters on the planet, Jonathan Haggerty still gets nervous before a fight—but that's not necessarily a bad thing.

This Friday night, September 6, the nerves are sure to be in full swing as 'The General' heads to The Mile High City ready to defend his ONE bantamweight Muay Thai world championship against Superlek Kiatmoo9 in one of the biggest matchups in ONE Championship history.

The two Muay Thai titans will headline the history-making ONE 168: Denver card as the promotion descends upon The Centennial State for the first time in 16 months.

Speaking with Inside Fighting ahead of his latest world title defense, the two-sport king revealed that he still gets nervous before a fight, though much of that anxiety goes away once he's in the gym and reminding himself that he's one of the best in the art of eight limbs.

"I'm nervous. It's nerves kicking in every now and then. But when I go to training, the nerves go out of the window... And it reminds me of myself that I'm the best in the world."
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Jonathan Haggerty looking to land his biggest win yet against Superlek at ONE 168: Denver

Jonathan Haggerty rides into ONE 168: Denver on a six-fight win streak dating back to December 2020.

During that run, he has earned a trio of highlight-reel knockouts against the likes of Thai legend Nong-O Hama, reigning ONE bantamweight MMA world champion Fabricio Andrade, and perennial contender Felipe Lobo. Haggerty has also claimed both the ONE bantamweight Muay Thai and kickboxing crowns along the way.

Meanwhile, Superlek—like Haggerty—has been asserting his dominance in two different sports. He captured the ONE flyweight kickboxing world title last year and has built an unbeaten record in Muay Thai competition since signing with ONE Championship more than five years ago.

Now, 'The Kicking Machine' has his sights set on becoming a two-sport titleholder, but to do so, he'll have to go through one of the heaviest hitters on the roster.

ONE 168: Denver will air live on Amazon Prime Video in U.S. primetime in both the United States and Canada on Friday, September 6. Follow this link for tickets to attend the event live at Ball Arena.

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Edited by C. Naik
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