ONE Championship

Beating Hiroki Akimoto is only step one for Jonathan Haggerty. Reclaiming a second world title is the real target.

“The General” defends his ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Championship against the former divisional titleholder in the main event of ONE SAMURAI 4 inside Tokyo’s Ariake Arena on Saturday, October 17.

Akimoto’s road to this opportunity was not a straight line. He opened his ONE Championship tenure with an impressive 6-1 stretch before dropping three straight, then rebounded with three consecutive decision wins, the last of which came against Taimu Hisai at ONE SAMURAI 1, the same card where Haggerty retained his belt against Yuki Yoza.

“He’s been in the organization for a long time. He’s fought the best. And now it’s his time to challenge me for the belt,” Haggerty said. “He’s beaten whoever they’ve put in front of him. Meanwhile, I’ve basically beaten the top opponents in the division now, so it was only right for him to get his opportunity.”

Haggerty has followed Akimoto’s career for years, long before the two were formally matched up, and few opponents have earned this level of respect from the reigning champion.

Jonathan Haggerty plots path back to Muay Thai gold

Should Saturday go as planned, Haggerty has already mapped out where his career goes next. The Englishman, chasing his 25th career victory, is looking at a return to the ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Championship he lost to Superlek at ONE 168: Denver in September 2024.

He has two specific names in mind for that pursuit, both of whom currently sit atop the Muay Thai side of the division he once ruled.

“Defending the belt means a lot to me, you know. It always has. And to keep defending the belt is the main goal for me,” he said.

“But I believe after I defend this belt, Yod-IQ or Rambolek will be next for me.”

This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM