Jonathan Haggerty is leaving nothing to chance as he prepares to reclaim the ONE Championship bantamweight Muay Thai world title in Tokyo next month – and he’s getting some help from one of the UFC’s most feared strikers.
The 28-year-old Brit has joined forces with Khalil Rountree, the UFC light heavyweight contender, ahead of his showdown with Nabil Anane at ONE 173 on November 16 at Ariake Arena.
‘It was just great to be around him in Vegas – just super motivating,’ Haggerty told the Bangkok Post from Koh Samui, where he is completing the second half of his camp at Lamai Muaythai Camp.
‘To see the champion mindset he has was amazing. A different style of training. I’ve teamed up with his strength coach as well, so I’ll be bringing him along into camp with me. It’s been great. He’s [Rountree] coming out to Samui [this] week, so it will be good to have him around again.’
Haggerty had spent a month in Las Vegas training with Rountree, who was preparing for his fight with former UFC light heavyweight champion Jiri Prochazka earlier in October.
‘I was in the arena, it was pretty heartbreaking just to see him win the first two rounds and seeing all the hard work that he put in behind the scenes,’ Haggerty said. ‘He’s very dedicated to his craft. Just that last round, it’s heartbreaking.
‘But it’s the fight game. He knows, everybody knows. Just one shot and it can all be over. It is what it is, and we come back from our losses. It’s character building – and a few stitches.’
Haggerty knows all too well the sting of defeat after months of preparation.
Indeed, his fight with Nabil is more than just another title shot.
It’s a chance to regain the belt he lost to Superlek Kiatmuu9 in Denver last September after just 49 seconds – and to prove he remains the most complete striker in the division.
‘Yeah, it still stings. It does sting, obviously,’ said Haggerty, who still holds the promotion’s bantamweight kickboxing belt. ‘But I’ve overcome that. It’s made me a better fighter and person. I’ve learned from the mistakes. It’s up to me to get in there, put things right, and get the belt back.’
Nabil was eventually promoted to undisputed champion earlier this year after Superlek failed hydration for their fight in Tokyo and was stripped of the title. The 6-foot-4 Thai-Algerian prodigy beat Superlek by unanimous decision.
‘He’s grown into his body and the weight category,’ Haggerty said. ‘He’s definitely improved, hence why he’s been beating all these top fighters. But we’re ready to get on top.
‘I’ve never fought someone that tall, to be honest. It is a mental and physical challenge, but one we’re willing to overcome. I want to be the champion, so I’ve got to do what I’ve got to do.’
Now back in Thailand, Haggerty is in the final stretch of preparations for what he calls one of the biggest cards of his career.
‘Everything is going smoothly. I’m enjoying this camp – that’s the main thing,’ he said, hinting again at some lingering regrets from a gruelling time out at high altitude in Denver. ‘Sometimes I’ve had camps where I’ve not enjoyed it and it’s just dragging, but I’m enjoying the process.’
He is joined in Samui by fellow Englishman George Jarvis, who himself is set to return to ONE action soon.
‘George is here, training’s been going well, we’ve been bonding,’ he said. ‘It’s good to have another champion like himself in camp.’
Speaking from a nearby café with Jarvis at the next table, Haggerty was getting ready to head across the road to the gym for one of his usual two daily sessions as he ramps up his preparations.
As for his mindset heading into fight week, the Londoner said the Koh Samui environment has kept him grounded and laser-focused.
‘I tend to lose track of time out here,’ he said with a grin, apologising for missing the originally scheduled slot for this interview.
‘Time and date – I have no clue what time or day it is. I’m dialled in.’