Former ONE two-sport, two-division world champion Jonathan Haggerty has been forced to withdraw from his planned ONE bantamweight Muay Thai world title challenge against reigning titleholder Nabil Anane on AN 173: Superbon vs. Noiri on Sunday, November 16 due to serious training injuries sustained in Thailand.
The 28-year-old British forward revealed in a video on social media that he suffered a deep tear in his left hand three weeks ago, which required eight stitches, followed by a torn rotator cuff the following week, which was confirmed by an MRI scan.
In response to the withdrawal, Anane will move up to featherweight to take on promotional newcomer and three-time K-1 champion Hiromi Wajima in a kickboxing bout at Tokyo’s Ariake Arena, marking an unexpected debut for the 30-year-old Japanese striker who signed with ONE Championship last month.
Jonathan Haggerty describes the devastating series of injuries
The Londoner, who currently holds the ONE bantamweight kickboxing world title, expressed his disappointment in his social media postwhich explained the unfortunate succession of training injuries that derailed his preparation for the championship. Jonathan Haggerty highlighted the comprehensive nature of his training camp before injuries disrupted his title challenge.
“Devastated. Heartbroken to say the least, you know. I’ve done everything I can throughout this camp to be the best version of myself on fight night. We’ve left no stone unturned. I’ve had the best team around me, the best sparring partners that I needed for this fight,” Jonathan Haggerty said in his video message.
Jonathan Haggerty, former ONE Flyweight and Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion, had prepared for what he considered his most important challenge. He originally captured the bantamweight Muay Thai crown by defeating the legendary Nong-O Hama in April 2023, and then secured the division’s vacant kickboxing gold by defeating ONE bantamweight MMA world champion Fabricio Andrade later that November.
British champion Jonathan Haggerty is keen to reschedule Anane Showdown
Despite the setback, Haggerty made it clear that he wanted to face Anane remains unchanged once he completes his recovery. The former two-sport king apologized to the fans, his team and ONE Championship, while expressing hope that he would reschedule the highly anticipated match.
“Also, I just want to say that there is no one in the division I want to fight more than Nabil Anane. So hopefully we can reschedule the fight. My main focus now is on recovery and getting back on track,” Haggerty offered.
21-year-old Anane has emerged as one of the promotion’s most exciting young talents. He became the youngest ever WBC Muay Thai World Champion before making his ONE Championship debut at the age of 19. The Thai-Algerian star brings an impressive 40-5 record and a towering 6-foot-4 frame to the competition.
Anane takes on Wajima in featherweight debut in lieu of PPD Haggerty Fight
Now Anane will test himself at featherweight against the talented Japanese striker in what promises to be an explosive stylistic match. The sudden switch in opponents likely came as a surprise to Wajima, who signed with the promotion last month and expected a more traditional debut timeline.
The 30-year-old Japanese veteran recorded 22 career wins and 18 knockouts in his ONE Championship debut, establishing himself as a legitimate knockout artist during his K-1 career. The multi-time K-1 champion’s finishing ability makes him a dangerous opponent for any fighter, especially one moving up in weight on short notice.
The featherweight kickboxing bout represents Anane’s first appearance outside the bantamweight limits in ONE Championship, adding an intriguing element to what was already a major fight card. ONE 173 takes place on Sunday, November 16 at Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan.
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