Holding wins over Sam-A and Nong-O Gaiyanghadao, Haggerty is considered to be one of the best British Muay Thai fighters of his generation.[1][2]
Background
Haggerty grew up in Walworth Road, London,[citation needed] with a younger brother and two younger sisters.[3] He learned Muay Thai from his father at the age of 7, and he started competing as an amateur at the age of 12.[4] He is a supporter of his local football team Millwall FC.
Muay Thai career
Early career
Haggerty made his professional debut in 2014, against Anthony Edwards, winning the fight by a fourth round TKO. He would win his next four fights by stoppage, before fighting Gery Bavetta at Muaythai Mayhem for the ISKA World Super-Featherweight Muay Thai title. He defeated Bavetta by a third round knockout.[5]
In his next two fights, Haggerty defeated Geo Marchese and James O'Connell by a first round stoppage.[6] He suffered his first professional loss during Yokkao 28, losing a decision to Ja Kiatphontip. He rebounded with a second round knockout of Keith McLachlan at Yokkao 29. He was scheduled to fight Liam Harrison at Yokkao 31, but the fight would later fall through.[7] Harrison was replaced by Superlek Kiatmuu9,[8] with Superlek winning by TKO. Before appearing at Yokkao 31, Haggerty won the WBC Muaythai Super Featherweight International title with a TKO of Isaac Araya.[9]
ONE Championship
Haggerty made his ONE Championship debut in January 2019 and defeated Joseph Lasiri via unanimous decision.[10]
Immediately after receiving the belt he called out Thai boxing phenom Rodtang Jitmuangnon against whom he would make his first title defence.[13] The bout took place on 2 August 2019, with Haggerty losing the ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Championship to Jitmuangnon at ONE Championship: Dawn of Heroes.[14][15]
Jonathan Haggerty eventually faced Rodtang in a rematch for the ONE Muay Thai title at ONE Championship: A New Tomorrow on 10 January 2020. He was knocked down in the opening round and was dominated for the remainder of the fight, losing by TKO in the third round after being knocked down three times in the round.[16]
Haggerty's next fight was against the Japanese opponent Taiki Naito at ONE Championship: Big Bang 2.[17] He won the fight by unanimous decision, scoring a knockdown in both the first and the second round.[18]
Haggerty was scheduled to face former ONE Flyweight Kickboxing world title challenger Elias Mahmoudi at ONE on TNT 4 on 28 April 2021.[19] Their fight was cancelled due to COVID-19 travel restrictions and Haggerty was unable to make it to the bout.
After this Haggerty was due to face Jonno Chipchase on Roar Combat League, though the fight was pulled shortly after. Haggerty faced Arthur Meyer for the ISKA Muay Thai Lightweight World title at Siam Warriors Superfights on 20 November 2021. He won the fight by a second-round knockout.[20]
Haggerty revealed that he had been considering a move into MMA with the promotion ahead of his ONE on Prime Video 4 bout, saying "I think that's what they're going to expect me to do like you said, but I feel like the wrestling, the jujitsu, etc, is getting so much better in the UK. You know, people flying abroad to get the work in, and yeah, people are just going to try and take me down, and hopefully, they just walk into a knee.[28]
Haggerty faced Vladimir Kuzmin on November 19, 2022, at ONE on Prime Video 4.[29] At weigh-ins, Haggerty weigh in at 148 lbs, 3 pounds over the limit. The bout continued at a catchweight and Haggerty being fined 20% of his purse, which went to his opponent Kuzmin.[30] He won the fight via majority decision.[31]
Fabrício Andrade
Nong-O Gaiyanghadao
Vladimir Kuzmin
Arthur Meyer
Taiki Naito
Joseph Lasiri
Isaac Araya
Keith McLachlan
James O'Connell