Jonathan Haggerty is promising blood and fireworks on his ‘revenge mission’ against Superlek Kiatmoo9 as he looks to defend his ONE Championship bantamweight Muay Thai belt.
The double-champ Londoner holds the bantamweight belts in Muay Thai and kickboxing, putting the former strap on the line in Denver on Friday night.
His clash with the brilliant Thai known as ‘The Kicking Machine’ is a rematch from a 2018 bout when the young Brit was beaten by a more experience foe, and Haggerty is ready to show Superlek how much has changed in the last six years.
‘It’s a revenge mission, brother,’ Haggerty told Metro.co.uk. ‘I’m not holding onto that loss, I learned a lot from it, more than I have from any win.
‘I showed a little bit too much respect in that fight. Really and truly I don’t think I should have been in that fight, but as me and my trainer believe in myself we took it. It was a win-win really, one door closes and another opens. As soon as that fight was finished I got signed by One Championship..
‘100 per cent I’m a new fighter since then. I’ve learned a lot about my style and what works for me and what doesn’t. Adapted to a lot of styles. I’ve found myself in the fight game. I’m excited to show Superlek how different the fight is going to be.’
Haggerty is also hoping to show a different style of fighting entirely in the near future, already getting excited for a switch to the world of MMA.
‘I’ve always wanted to do MMA,’ he said. ‘I feel like I’ll do quite well in that game. If ONE Championship decide to throw me a one-fight contract to see how I go then I’ll happily sign it as soon as possible. We’ll wait and see. Right now it’s Superlek and defending the belt. But I really am excited for my MMA debut.
‘I’ve grown up in an MMA gym, so I’ve always been training, I know the basics, the fundamentals. A few months of jiu-jitsu and takedown defences and I’ll be ready.’
The 27-year-old is not ruling out a far more unexpected switch outside of combat and into the world of professional wrestling after forming a bond with AEW star Malakai Black.
The Dutch wrestler has a background in kickboxing and Muay Thai and with Haggerty also a childhood fan of pro wrestling, they have found themselves supporting each other.
‘Years ago I was a hardcore wrestling fan, I used to love it,’ he said. ‘My dad bought me all the replica belts, I used to wrestle my mum’s sofa cushions.
‘Malakai Black reached out to me, obviously he’s into his Thai boxing, we’ve had a few Facetime calls, he supports me, he’s behind me and vice-versa. It’s amazing to have such a great person backing me.’
On the prospect of stepping into the squared circle, with Haggerty said: ‘I’m all for it. I’m all ears. If it sounds right and feels good then I’m ready for it.’
Haggerty is not thinking about MMA or wrestling this week, though, fully focussed on the task in hand after four weeks acclimatising in Denver ahead of his rematch with Superlek.
Still just 27, he has been training for 22 years, lying about his age as a teenager to get fights with adults and taking the pass less trodden.
‘I had to choose between football and muay thai at such a young age,’ he said. ‘At that age football is what every kid wants to do and I don’t know why but I chose to get punched in the face, but it’s paying off now.’
There is more to come in future but for now that path has led him to Denver, where he intends to put in the performance of his life and a fight to remember.
‘I’ve been training my arse off and left no stone on turned,’ he said. ‘I know everybody says this but it literally has been the hardest camp to date.
‘We’re coming in for revenge, to keep the title and get a stoppage. We’re up against one of the greatest pound-for-pound fighters but we’re going to put in a performance of a lifetime.
‘You’re going to see some spinning back elbows, some blood and maybe a stoppage. Expect fireworks.’