Jonathan Haggerty Questions Yuki Yoza’s Rising Stardom in ONE Championship

Jonathan Haggerty, the reigning ONE bantamweight kickboxing world champion, has expressed skepticism regarding Yuki Yoza’s recent rise within ONE Championship. Despite Yoza’s unbeaten streak, Haggerty remains unconvinced about the Japanese athlete’s potential as a serious contender. The two fighters are scheduled to compete on the same card at ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri, taking place at Tokyo’s Ariake Arena on November 16, 2023.

Haggerty will face Nabil Anane for the ONE bantamweight Muay Thai world title, aiming to solidify his status as a multi-disciplinary champion. Meanwhile, Yoza will challenge ONE flyweight kickboxing world champion, Superlek Kiatmoo9, in a bantamweight kickboxing bout. This match presents an opportunity for Yoza to demonstrate his worthiness for a title shot against Haggerty.

In an online interview with the South China Morning Post, Haggerty shared his candid views on Yoza’s ascent in the promotion. He stated, “I don’t see the hype,” indicating that he does not regard Yoza as a significant threat at this stage in his career. Haggerty’s declarations highlight the competitive nature of the bantamweight division and set the tone for the upcoming matches.

Haggerty, known as ‘The General’, made headlines earlier this year by claiming the ONE bantamweight Muay Thai world title in spectacular fashion. He achieved this by defeating the legendary Nong-O Hama in just one round at ONE Fight Night 9 in April 2023. Following that victory, he successfully defended his title with a third-round TKO against Brazilian striker Felipe Lobo in February 2023.

Despite his impressive credentials, Haggerty faced a setback at ONE 168: Denver, where he was defeated by Superlek Kiatmoo9 in a title match. Subsequently, Superlek lost his championship title on the scales prior to a planned unification bout against Anane at ONE 172 in Saitama, which took place in March 2023. This series of events ultimately elevated Anane to the undisputed champion of the division.

As Haggerty prepares for his challenge against Anane, questions linger about whether he has what it takes to emerge victorious and add a second championship title to his resume. The anticipation surrounding ONE 173 continues to build, with fans eager to witness these high-stakes encounters.

Tickets for ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri are available for purchase, and additional streaming details can be found at watch.onefc.com. As the event approaches, the spotlight will remain firmly on the performances of Haggerty and Yoza as they aim to prove their mettle within the sport.