Jonathan Haggerty’s ascent to the pinnacle of kickboxing royalty at ONE Championship’s Fight Night 16 has been a compelling testament to his martial prowess and tactical acumen. On that fateful evening of November 3, at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, the English fighter, already a decorated bantamweight Muay Thai world champion, extended his reign of dominance to encompass the world of kickboxing—exemplifying the rare and esteemed status of a dual-sport world champion.
Against the formidable Fabricio Andrade, a revered bantamweight MMA titleholder, Haggerty demonstrated a level of striking that not only captivated the spectators but left an indelible mark on the canvas of martial arts history. The crescendo of this encounter came in the second round, a mere minute in, when Haggerty’s precision-driven left high kick precipitated the unraveling of his opponent’s defense. Andrade, known for his fluid movement and combative resilience, found himself on unsteady footing, an unusual sight for fans accustomed to his dexterous footwork.
The subsequent moments encapsulated the precarious balance between peril and triumph, as Haggerty advanced with a calculated barrage of punches. Each strike was a testament to his strategic ferocity and served as a harbinger to the impending knockout. This flurry, characterized by its surgical precision, culminated in a decisive right hand that breached Andrade’s guard, compelling the referee to halt the match at the 1:57 mark of the second round. The result was twofold: a triumphant Haggerty claiming the ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Title and a significant career milestone with his 21st victory.
This remarkable feat was further sweetened by a substantial double performance bonus, courtesy of ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong, amounting to US$100,000—a sum reflective of Haggerty’s exceptional performance and the overall magnitude of the event.
The narrative of Fight Night 16, however, extended beyond Haggerty’s storied victory. The event, distinguished by its array of electrifying matchups, also saw a cadre of athletes being rewarded for their exemplary displays of martial arts excellence. Among them was Tye Ruotolo, who, in his grappling match, not only showcased a dominating performance to clinch the ONE Welterweight Submission Grappling World Title but also earned his fourth US$50,000 performance bonus.
The eventful night further recognized the debuting Canadian heavyweight Ben Tynan, who left an indelible mark by submitting Kang Ji Won in the third round. His victory, as much as it was a display of his grappling superiority, was also a statement that resonated with the combat sports community, earning him a performance bonus and marking an impressive start to his tenure with ONE.
Adding to the list of noteworthy performances was Cristina Morales. The Spanish striker, undeterred by the prospect of facing off against the local Thai prodigy, Anna “Supergirl” Jaroonsak, delivered a swift and ferocious combination of strikes that culminated in a victory within the first round, thus securing her the performance bonus and cementing her status in the atomweight kickboxing division.
ONE Fight Night 16 Full Results
- The event opened with Lito Adiwang decisively defeating Jeremy Miado by unanimous decision in their strawweight MMA bout, showcasing strategic prowess and combat technique.
- Cristina Morales delivered a powerful performance in the atomweight kickboxing category, defeating Anna ‘Supergirl’ Jaroonsak by TKO with strikes at just 2:54 into the first round.
- Heavyweight MMA contender Ben Tyan showcased his grappling skills, defeating Kang Ji Won via a submission with an arm triangle choke, a masterful finish at 1:22 of the third round.
- Ayaka Miura’s grappling expertise was on full display as she defeated Meng Bo with a submission, executing a scarf hold Americana at 2:09 of the first round in their strawweight MMA encounter.
- In the kickboxing strawweight class, Rui Botelho narrowly defeated Zhang Peimian via split decision after a closely fought battle that showcased the fine margins between victory and defeat.
- Halil Amir’s power was too much for Ahmed Mujtaba, as he defeated him by TKO, the referee stopping the bout at the end of the first round in their lightweight MMA match.
- The Muay Thai 174.5 pound catchweight fight saw Seksan Or Kwanmuang defeat Karim Bennoui, with the judges’ unanimous decision favoring Seksan after a dominant striking display.
- Grappling sensation Tye Ruotolo defeated Magomed Abdulkadirov, being named the inaugural ONE welterweight submission grappling world champion, a title he clinched through a unanimous decision.
- The highlight of the night was the ONE bantamweight kickboxing world championship, where Jonathan Haggerty defeated Fabricio Andrade. Haggerty’s head kick and follow-up strikes ensured a knockout at 1:57 of the second round, securing his status as a two-sport world champion.