Former ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion Jonathan “The General” Haggerty promises to show some new tricks when he returns to action at the previously recorded ONE: BIG BANG II.
Haggerty takes on Taiki “Silent Sniper” Naito in the main event of the show, which airs this Friday, December 11, and he plans to leave an impression.
“I feel like I have to win this one, and not only do I have to win it, I have to win it convincingly and in spectacular style,” Haggerty told ONEFC.com.
“I’m going to be trying to pull some tricks out of the bag. Let’s get this World Title back.”
Haggerty has not competed since January, where he faced Rodtang “Iron Man” Jitmuangnon in a rematch for the ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Title. He lost via TKO by way of the three-knockdown rule.
He admits that he got carried away against the flashy Thai, but he promises to keep his emotions in check this time against the Japanese athlete.
“[I learned you need to] leave all emotions outside of the ring, listen to your cornermen, stick to a game plan, and don’t let Rodtang pull you into a fight—which I did,” Haggerty said.
“Naito’s main attributes are his counter-attacks. He likes to make you overstretch, and once you do, that’s when he counters.”
This time he plans on staying focused and calculated as he targets a finish to remember for fans watching at home.
“I’d say [I will win by] round-two stoppage. A Jonathan Haggerty downward elbow – then maybe a new trick that I’ve developed in training, so get ready for it,” Haggerty said.
“One-hundred percent, I will be back at the top.”
Watch the previously recorded ONE: BIG BANG II on One Sports+ or the ONE Super App at 8:30 p.m. Philippine Standard Time (PHT). Also, One Sports will cut into the broadcast at 9 p.m. PHT.
Additionally, TV5 will air the event on a next-day delay at 11 p.m. PHT on Saturday, December 12.