Former two-sport, two-division ONE World Champion Jonathan Haggerty has been forced to withdraw from his scheduled ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Title challenge against reigning titleholder Nabil Anane at ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri on Sunday, November 16, due to serious training injuries sustained in Thailand.
The 28-year-old British striker revealed on social media video that he suffered a deep laceration to his left hand requiring eight stitches three weeks ago, followed by a torn rotator cuff the following week, which was confirmed by MRI scan.
In response to the withdrawal, Anane will move up to featherweight to face 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 Details Devastating Injury Sequence
Courtesy of Bangkok Post
The Londoner, who currently holds the ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Title, expressed disappointment in his social media message, explaining the unfortunate sequence of training injuries that derailed his championship preparation. Jonathan Haggerty emphasized the comprehensive nature of his training camp before the injuries disrupted his title challenge.
“Devastated. Heartbroken, to say the least, you know. I did everything I possibly could this camp to be the best version of myself come fight night. We left no stone unturned. I’ve had the greatest team around me, the greatest sparring partners that I needed for this fight,” Jonathan Haggerty said in his video message.
Jonathan Haggerty, a former ONE Flyweight and Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion, had been preparing for what he considered his most significant challenge. He originally captured the bantamweight Muay Thai crown by defeating the legendary Nong-O Hama in April 2023, and then he secured the division’s vacant kickboxing gold by beating ONE Bantamweight MMA World Champion Fabricio Andrade later that November.
British Champion Jonathan Haggerty Eager to Reschedule Anane Showdown
Despite the setback, Haggerty made clear his desire to face Anane remains unchanged once he completes his recovery. The former two-sport king apologized to fans, his team, and ONE Championship while expressing hope for rescheduling the highly anticipated clash.
“Also, I just wanna say there’s not anybody in the division that I wanna fight more than Nabil Anane. So hopefully, we can reschedule the fight. My main focus is now recovery and getting back on track,” Haggerty offered.
The 21-year-old Anane has emerged as one of the promotion’s most exciting young talents, having become the youngest-ever WBC Muay Thai World Champion before making his ONE Championship debut at age 19. The Thai-Algerian star brings an impressive 40-5 striking record and towering 6’4″ frame into competition.
Anane Moves Up to Face Wajima in Featherweight Debut in Lieu of PPD Haggerty Fight
Now, Anane will test himself at featherweight against the accomplished Japanese striker in what promises to be an explosive stylistic matchup. The sudden opponent switch likely came as a surprise for Wajima, who signed with the promotion just last month expecting a more traditional debut timeline.
The 30-year-old Japanese veteran brings 22 career victories with 18 knockouts into his ONE Championship debut, establishing himself as a legitimate knockout artist throughout his K-1 career. The multi-time K-1 Champion’s finishing ability makes him a dangerous opponent for any fighter, particularly 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 significant fight card. ONE 173 takes place on Sunday, November 16, at Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan.