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Jonathan Haggerty dishes on Hiroki Akimoto ONE World Title defense at ONE SAMURAI 4

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Jonathan Haggerty dishes on Hiroki Akimoto ONE World Title defense at ONE SAMURAI 4

Beating Hiroki Akimoto is only step one for Jonathan Haggerty. Reclaiming a second world title is the real target.

“The General†defends his ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Championship against the former divisional titleholder in the main event of ONE SAMURAI 4 inside Tokyo's Ariake Arena on Saturday, October 17.

Akimoto's road to this opportunity was not a straight line. He opened his ONE Championship tenure with an impressive 6-1 stretch before dropping three straight, then rebounded with three consecutive decision wins, the last of which came against Taimu Hisai at ONE SAMURAI 1, the same card where Haggerty retained his belt against Yuki Yoza.

“He's been in the organization for a long time. He's fought the best. And now it's his time to challenge me for the belt,†Haggerty said. “He's beaten whoever they've put in front of him. Meanwhile, I've basically beaten the top opponents in the division now, so it was only right for him to get his opportunity.â€

Haggerty has followed Akimoto's career for years, long before the two were formally matched up, and few opponents have earned this level of respect from the reigning champion.

Jonathan Haggerty plots path back to Muay Thai gold

Should Saturday go as planned, Haggerty has already mapped out where his career goes next. The Englishman, chasing his 25th career victory, is looking at a return to the ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Championship he lost to Superlek at ONE 168: Denver in September 2024.

He has two specific names in mind for that pursuit, both of whom currently sit atop the Muay Thai side of the division he once ruled.

“Defending the belt means a lot to me, you know. It always has. And to keep defending the belt is the main goal for me,†he said.

“But I believe after I defend this belt, Yod-IQ or Rambolek will be next for me.â€

This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM


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MMA

Floyd Mayweather open to Conor McGregor rematch: Lets do it

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Floyd Mayweather open to Conor McGregor rematch: 'Let's do it'
Floyd
Mayweather Jr. is open to a rematch against Conor
McGregor.

The unbeaten former boxing champion recently reflected on their
2017 bout, saying it elevated McGregor's profile and generated
considerable financial rewards for both men.

Floyd Mayweather discusses possible Conor McGregor rematch nine
years after 2017 boxing match

Mayweather stopped McGregor by technical knockout in the 10th
round, improving his professional record to 50-0. He has since
competed in several exhibitions and remains interested in facing
the Irishman again.

“Actually, I think me and Conor McGregor may lock up again. Yeah,
absolutely,†Mayweather said during an appearance on the “PBD
Podcast.†“I don't live with Conor McGregor, he's not my friend. I
don't have to see him. It's just when it's time for us to do
business and lock up, let's do it.â€

Mayweather's exhibition opponents have included Japanese kickboxer
Tenshin
Nasukawa, social media personalities Logan Paul
and Deji, and former MMA fighter Aaron
Chalmers. “Money†has also faced John Gotti
III twice.

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MMA

Nina Drama denies being forced to wear hijab for Movsar Evloev interview

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Nina Drama denies being 'forced' to wear hijab for Movsar Evloev interview
Nina-Marie Daniele says she wore a hijab for her interview with
Movsar
Evloev out of respect.

Evloev is scheduled to challenge Alexander
Volkanovski for the
Ultimate Fighting Championship featherweight title at
UFC 333 on Oct. 24 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. Daniele's
decision to wear a hijab while interviewing the Muslim fighter drew
criticism online, prompting her response.

Nina-Marie Daniele explains why she wore a hijab for Movsar
Evloev interview ahead of UFC 333

During the interview, Evloev said his religious beliefs would
prevent him from looking at her if she were dressed less modestly.
Daniele defended her choice, explaining that she wanted to make him
comfortable. She also said participation in her interviews is
voluntary and that no one forced her to wear the hijab.

“At the end of the day it's always about respect,†Daniele wrote on
X. “I have so much respect for all my Muslim friends. I love
learning about cultures and I'm so grateful for the UFC for giving
me the opportunity to travel the world. Some people are offended
and that's fine, this came from a place of respect and wanting to
be able to make Movsar
Evloev comfortable in our interview. My interviews are not
‘mandatory' and never were, the fighters that show up show up
because they want to and I was in no way shape or form ‘forced' to
do anything. Thank you to Movsar and his team for giving me the
opportunity to show the fans a different side of him! I'm so happy
people are enjoying the interview!â€

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MMA

Arman Tsarukyan wrestles Anthony Pettis in RAF 15 main event

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Arman Tsarukyan wrestles Anthony Pettis in RAF 15 main event

Anthony Pettis is out of his scheduled RAF debut against Donald Cerrone and is instead hunting bigger game.

On Tuesday, Real American Freestyle announced that Pettis will challenge Arman Tsarukyan for his RAF middleweight crossover title in the main event of RAF 15, which takes place on Nov. 28 at NOW Arena in Chicago.

RAF 15 was originally set to be headlined by Henry Cejudo vs. Song Yadong. That bout now serves as the co-main event.

MMA Fighting confirmed that Tsarukyan is still wrestling Neiman Gracie at RAF Abu Dhabi on Nov. 14 in a non-title bout. Meanwhile, Donald Cerrone is now out of RAF 15 altogether.

Tsarukyan won the vacant RAF crossover middleweight title this past weekend with a tech fall over Dillon Danis at RAF 14 in Las Vegas.

Pettis, meanwhile, has never competed in freestyle wrestling before, and last competed in any combat sport in 2024, losing a unanimous decision to Chris Avila in a boxing match.

Mike Heck contributed to this report.

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