Meet Jonathan Haggerty: The British Muay Thai world champion is targeting hybrid rules fight with UFC legend Demetrious Johnson before moving into MMA

Jonathan Haggerty is one of the very best Muay Thai fighters in the world and he is on the brink of superstardom as a hybrid rules fight with UFC legend Demetrious Johnson edges closer.

The 25-year-old from London, a four-time world champion in his chosen sport, is the only British fighter to ever hold a title in the Asian-based fight promotion ONE Championship.

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Like most young Englishmen, Haggerty grew up playing football, but fell in love with Muay Thai and quickly made a name for himself in fighting.

“I originally started football at a young age, and I was enjoying football, he told talkSPORT.

“As I was growing up my dad told me I had to pick one [sport], so then I started fighting. I fell in love with it, he opened up a gym, and then I started training there.”

Haggerty is on a three-fight win streak after dropping to back-to-back defeats against Muay Thai phenom Rodtang Jitmuangnon.

Since then, Rodtang has gone on to face former UFC flyweight champion Johnson in a hybrid rules fight.

The bout was scheduled for four rounds with the first and third rounds being fought under Muay Thai rules whereas the second and fourth rounds were fought under MMA rules.

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Johnson managed to compete on the feet in the opening round before picking up a submission win in the second stanza and now Haggerty wants a crack at the MMA icon.

“I was pretty impressed that he decided to stand,” he said. "He didn’t back off really, but it would be a different story with me and ‘Mighty Mouse’.

“I’m taller, my footwork is a lot better than Rodtang and I’m more evasive. Also, growing up from a young age in an MMA gym, I know the basics.

“If it goes to the second round I would be a lot better than Rodtang.”

‘The General’ is intent on becoming a Muay Thai champion again under the ONE Championship banner before transitioning to MMA full-time in the next couple of years.

"I need to get my belt back and go from there," he said. "I’d say two years. MMA is the main goal. It’s a known sport and Muay Thai isn’t really talked about.

“I’d obviously stay with ONE Championship because they are a great promotion. I want to get to the top in ONE on the MMA scene – that’s the goal.”