Reigning ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai and Kickboxing World Champion Jonathan “The General” Haggerty looks to be in the finest shape of his career – and he says much of that has to do with his recent move up from flyweight.

The hard-hitting Brit will soon put his Muay Thai gold on the line, as he’s set to battle Thai superstar “The Kicking Machine” Superlek Kiatmoo9 in the main event of ONE 168: Denver, live in U.S. primetime on September 6 from Ball Arena.

Jonathan Haggerty feels at home in the bantamweight division

Long regarded as one of the planet’s most talented strikers, Haggerty burst onto the global stage back in 2019 when he defeated Joseph Lasiri, then Thai legend Sam-A Gaiyanghadao to claim the ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Title. He would subsequently lose his gold to current titleholder Rodtang Jitmuangnon and continue to compete at flyweight for several fights.

In 2023, “The General” made the official move up to bantamweight and realized immediate success. In his last three appearances at bantamweight, he’s scored three straight World Title knockouts to capture the division’s Muay Thai and kickboxing crowns.

Haggerty says that moving up in weight has given him a new lease on his career and he’s never felt better:

“So at flyweight, I was actually, say, 50 percent of myself. You know, I was tired, depleted. I wasn’t myself. But it just goes to show that staying at the top of the food chain at flyweight with no energy. Now that I’m at bantamweight, it’s where I’m supposed to be and I’m doing what I’m supposed to do – and that’s beat everybody.”

“The General” weighs in on the advantages of being a bantamweight

Indeed, the bantamweight version of Haggerty is a terrifying striker with show-stopping power in his punches, kicks, and elbows.

Beyond the physical advantages of moving up in weight, “The General” says that he’s happier now that he doesn’t have to focus so much on dieting and making weight.

He added, “It’s a massive advantage, you know? Happy, eating what you want, obviously clean. No calorie deficit at the moment. So a happy fighter is a dangerous fighter, and that’s what I am right now. I’m a happy fighter and I’m dangerous.”