How A Short Reign Turned Into A Rivalry

Johnthan Haggerty was on top of the World when he captured the ONE Flyweight Muay Thai title, at only 22 years old he became the youngest Champion in the ONE Organisation and (I believe) the only British fighter to win a title in ONE Championship. After his win over Legendary Muay Thai fighter Sam-A-Gaiyanghadao to capture the title, Haggerty immediately called out Rodtang Jitmuangnon, sparking the soon to be born rivalry. For any fan of Combat spots, this was a new chapter in Muay Thai as two of the best in the world where set to collide.

At ONE: Dawn of Heros the stage was set as Johnthan Haggerty and Rodtang Jitmuangnon where set to face off for the ONE Flyweight title. From the opening bell Haggerty went straight for Rodtang giving no breathing room, trying to throw off Rodtang's timing by using his lead kick and legs kicks trying to establish himself straight away. It was a great first round for Haggerty but it was only the beginning for Rodtang. From the second round onwards Rodtang turned it up slowly coming to life, started working on Haggerty's leg and using boxing combinations. Once Rodtang read Haggerty's timing and movement, Rodtang did his work.

The pressure Rodtang put on Haggerty in the third with his boxing and closing the distance seemed to fluster the Champion. The pressure paid off when Rodtang scored a knockdown in the fourth by landing a cracken right hand on Haggerty, After that It seemed Haggerty was still stunned as he skipped around the ring and kept Rodtang at bay, even at one point Rodtang seemed frustrated that Haggerty didnt want to exchange. Near the end of the fourth, both men stood and taunted each other before going into the final round. Respect was shown between both men, but only one would come out on top.

The final round seen Haggerty back on form and back on the attack, going after Rodtang's lead leg using his leg kicks. Rodtang looked liked he took his foot of the brakes in the final round as it was all Haggerty in the fifth but it wasnt enough. Haggerty's first title defence didnt go the way he wanted, as Rodtang was declared the winner and the New ONE Flyweight Muay Thai Champion. Now the highly anticipated rematch is now only a few days away as Rodtang will be looking to defend his title again against the man he took it from. Rodtang and Haggerty will face each other in the Main Event at ONE: A New Tomorrow. Can Rodtang make it 2-0 and put this rivalry to bed or Can Haggerty become a two-time Flyweight Champion within just a few months?

This will be an epic rematch that no combat fan would want to miss. As of this article Rodtang Jitmuangnon vs Jonathan Haggerty fight has 1.2 million views on YouTube. Not Many Muay Thai fights get that many views in general, so you know that fans want to see this rematch. Marc Meepmma/52ndmma