With only a few hours left for the ONE 168: Denver, the fans cannot wait to see two of the most elite strikers take on each other. Two-sport world champion Jonathan Haggerty will take on ‘The Kicking Machine’ Superlek Kiatmoo9 for the second time in his career. ‘The General’ will defend his ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Title against the reigning ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion. A lot has changed since the pair met in 2018, and Superlek acknowledges the fact. 

During a recent ES exclusive, Superlek shared his opinion on Haggerty. The host asked him, “It’s been six years since you beat Haggerty, a lot has changed since then and both of you have evolved as fighters. What do you think Jonathan Haggerty is going to do differently inside the cage?” Superlek responded quickly and said, “Haggerty right now is an evolved version of Haggerty then. He’s fast and strong. However, I think his strategy isn’t too different from how it was back then. I’m prepared to take on his increased power and speed.” But what exactly happened in their last fight? Let us find out. 

Superlek Kiatmoo9 defeated Jonathan Haggerty in one of the most unusual fashions in 2018 

Jonathan Haggerty is currently one of the biggest names in the sport but this was not the case previously. Before making it big in ONE Championship, Haggerty and Superlek locked horns in 2018 at YOKKAO 31& 32. ‘The General’ was pretty new in his career, but he agreed to take on the Thai fighter at that time. However, what followed was complete chaos for the 27-year-old Brit fighter. Haggerty faced a cut above one eye and forced the doctors to stop the fight. Superlek managed to win the fight, but the Thai fighter was never impressed with the victory. 

Superlek, during one of his interviews with ONE Championship, made it clear that he was always waiting for a rematch with Haggerty. The Thai superstar made it clear that he was desperate to prove that he could defeat ‘The General’ but in a proper way. However, things have changed a lot in the careers of both fighters. Haggerty has not only improved as a fighter but has improved in terms of his physical fitness as well. The 27-year-old is on a six-fight winning streak and is desperate to avenge his previous loss against Superlek. Such is the determination this time that the Brit fighter moved to Denver four weeks before the fight. 

One of the primary reasons for that is to help him acclimatize to the mountainous region. Superlek, on the other hand, is confident that he will once again beat Haggerty and go 2-0 up in their rivalry. Let us take a closer look at the upcoming clash at ONE 168: Denver. 

Jonathan Haggerty and Superlek Kiatmoo9 put in the final preparations before their clash 

Few fights in ONE Championship history have ignited the kind of anticipation this matchup has. Fans and experts alike are on the edge of their seats, unable to choose a clear favorite but hoping for one thing—a knockout. Jonathan Haggerty, ‘The General,’ isn’t just defending his title; he’s out for redemption, looking to avenge a previous loss against an opponent riding an impressive ten-fight winning streak. Knowing the caliber of his rival, Haggerty has left no stone unturned in his preparation. Not only has he fine-tuned his technique, but he’s also pushed himself to peak physical condition, determined to walk into the cage in the best shape of his life.

Haggerty’s confidence is sky-high, and he’s made it clear he’s ready for war. “I know what I have to do. I know what I’m capable of. I put 100 percent into my training. My coaches believe in me. So as long as I’m 100 percent, I believe I’m unstoppable,” Haggerty declared. But standing in his way is the relentless Superlek, who despite moving up a weight class, has no intention of backing down. Known for his lightning-fast strikes and technical prowess, Superlek is more than ready for the challenge. “It’ll be explosive. I’ll go all out in this fight. It’ll be exciting, and you won’t be disappointed! I’ve never been knocked out in my career, but I’ll go all out this time,” he said in a recent interview with ONE Championship.

The stage is set for an epic showdown at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado, on September 6, live in U.S. primetime. The two warriors are ready, and fans can expect fireworks in this highly anticipated battle.

Who do you think will come out on top—Haggerty or Superlek? Let us know in the comments below!