Jonathan Haggerty has backed Rodtang Jitmuangnon to reclaim the ONE Championship flyweight Muay Thai title when he faces Nong-O Gaiyanghadao at ONE 173 in Tokyo – and revealed their own trilogy was closer than fans realised.
‘It’s the kicker vs the puncher,’ Haggerty told the Bangkok Post. ‘If Rodtang turns up and trains the way he trained for the Takeru fight, and he diets and is the best he can be, I believe he can win.
‘But he needs to be on top form because Nong-O is no pushover. Absolute legend in the sport. It’s going to be a tough one, but I think Rodtang might take this one.’
The 28-year-old British ‘General’ has a storied history with both men, of course.
Rodtang ended Haggerty’s first reign as ONE flyweight Muay Thai champion in Manila in 2019, then retained the belt with a third-round TKO in their January 2020 rematch in Bangkok.
Since then, Haggerty has moved up to bantamweight after struggling to make the flyweight limit. It was a decision that revitalised his career, leading to back-to-back world titles in Muay Thai and kickboxing – winning the former from Nong-O in 2023.
The proposed Rodtang trilogy was set to take place at bantamweight – a division where Haggerty has looked stronger and more durable.
‘Rodtang, yeah I believed so [it was going to happen],’ he said. ‘I signed the contract, I was ready to rock and roll from what I can remember. Maybe because he had a baby – congratulations to him – maybe that was a bit of a setback for the fight. I’m not sure what really happened there.
‘We’ve both got great fights coming up and hopefully we both come out healthy.’
ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong confirmed after ONE 172 that ‘Haggerty is next for Rodtang,’ with the fight targeted for the promotion’s planned Denver event in August. But the show was later postponed after Stamp Fairtex suffered an injury.
Rodtang, meanwhile, welcomed his son Zlatan in July with wife Aida Looksaikongdin. Now, the ‘Iron Man’ will meet legendary former ONE bantamweight champ Nong-O on November 16 at Ariake Arena, as the promotion returns to Japan for its second blockbuster card of 2025.
Haggerty will also feature on the same event, facing Nabil Anane for the bantamweight Muay Thai world title in a bid to reclaim the belt he lost to Superlek Kiatmuu9 last year.
‘Bantamweight is home to me,’ he said. ‘But catchweights or super fights – who knows. You know me, I’m willing to step up.’
‘I don’t know if I’m willing to step down to flyweight again,’ he added with a laugh – ruling out a similar move to Nong-O. ‘But who knows. Super fights, let’s entertain the crowd for sure.’