Jonathan Haggerty has a target on his back with two divisions under his rule, and after ONE Fight Night 23: Ok vs. Rasulov, another top star from the United Kingdom continued to close in on “The General.”
Scotland’s Nico Carrillo scored his fourth knockout from four fights under the ONE banner when he crushed fourth-ranked bantamweight Muay Thai fighter Saemapetch Fairtex in two rounds at Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium on July 5.
“The King of the North” solidified his status as the number one contender in the division, and he wasted no time shooting his shot at Haggerty in the ring post-fight.
“Superlek, Jonathan Haggerty, may the best man win. Best of luck to both of you,” he told ONE commentator Mitch Chilson.
“I’m next. I’m undeniable. Mr. Chatri, give me that title shot next. Whoever wins that belt in Denver, don’t get too attached to the gold [because] it’s coming right off you. ‘The King of the North’ is coming for gold.”
Haggerty puts the bantamweight Muay Thai gold on the line at ONE 168: Denver on September 6 when he takes on ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion Superlek Kiatmoo9.
Jonathan Haggerty reacts to Nico Carrillo’s win over Saemapetch
Two-sport ONE Bantamweight World Champion Jonathan Haggerty has issued a pointed message to divisional rival Nico Carrillo after the Scottish star defeated Saemapetch Fairtex at ONE Fight Night 23.
As the dust settled on Carrillo’s emphatic victory, Haggerty took to Instagram with a prediction for the potential all-U.K. fight between the pair.
“Congratulations Nico Carrillo. I’ll stop you in two rounds,” Haggerty wrote.
Carrillo has been spectacular in his ONE career so far, with wins over former long-time ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion Nong-O Hama and divisional staple Muangthai PK Saenchai also on his resume.
The 25-year-old’s meteoric rise up the rankings has caught the attention of Haggerty, leading to a series of barbs back and forth between the Muay Thai stars.
For now, however, all eyes will be on ONE 168: Denver, including those of Carrillo.