At ONE 171: Qatar, Jonathan Haggerty retained his kickboxing world title in a commanding display of skill. The London fighter, known as “The General,” put on a masterclass performance against the No. 1-ranked contender, “Demon Blade” Wei Rui. In a hard-fought battle that swung in Haggerty’s favor, he silenced critics and secured a unanimous decision victory, with scorecards reading 50-45, 49-46, and 49-46.
In the opening round, Haggerty tested the waters by mixing low kicks and single shots. Wei Rui responded with a barrage of kicks and multi-punch combinations. However, in the second round, Haggerty found his rhythm. He constantly switched stances to confuse his opponent, fired strikes to the nearest limb, and then smartly retreated before Wei could counter. By the third round, Haggerty turned up the heat. He landed a series of right hands, push kicks, and even knee strikes with precision, while Wei’s body kicks failed to match his speed.
This win not only improved Haggerty’s record to 23-5 but also ended Wei Rui’s impressive 21-bout winning streak. Haggerty’s performance showcased his evolving mastery of the striking arts, especially considering he had very little kickboxing experience before capturing the ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Title in November 2023.
Elsewhere on the card, Jake “The One” Peacock made a remarkable comeback after a 10-month absence. The British-Canadian fighter dominated Japanese Muay Thai star Shinji Suzuki with a series of strategic strikes. Peacock started the bout by finding his range with low kicks and measured punches. In the second round, he knocked Suzuki down with a powerful left knee to the head. Then, just seconds into the third round, a right elbow sent Suzuki reeling. Although Suzuki managed to rise after the referee’s eight-count, another low kick quickly put him back on the canvas, and Peacock finished the fight with a flurry of strikes, including a head kick and a final left hand.
Peacock’s knockout victory improved his record to 14-1 and marked his 12th KO win. After the bout, he expressed his eagerness to return to the action and become even more active in 2025.
In summary, the evening was defined by two impressive performances. Jonathan Haggerty retains kickboxing world title with his well-rounded display against Wei Rui, while Jake Peacock’s triumphant return underscored his potent skills in Muay Thai. Both fighters demonstrated their determination and prowess in the ring at a blockbuster event at ONE 171.
