ONE Championship: Chatri teases Nabil vs Haggerty bantamweight Muay Thai title fight

ONE Championship: Chatri teases Nabil vs Haggerty bantamweight Muay Thai title fight
Nabil Anane versus Jonathan Haggerty for the ONE Championship bantamweight Muay Thai title appears to be signed.
ONE chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong posted a short message on Facebook on Wednesday night that read simply: “Haggerty vs Nabil” – echoing a similar teaser last week for Rodtang vs Nong-O.
Haggerty quickly shared the post on his own Facebook page, suggesting the fight is agreed – though Anane, who was elevated to full champion status last month, has not yet publicly responded.
No date or location has been confirmed, but ONE 173 at Tokyo’s Ariake Arena on November 16 is a likely landing spot.
The 28-year-old Briton currently holds the bantamweight kickboxing title and will be looking to reclaim two-sport champ status. He was knocked out in the first round by Superlek in their Muay Thai title fight last year in Denver.
Anane, 21, was promoted from interim to undisputed champ in June – after months of confusion.
The Thai-Algerian prodigy defeated Superlek by unanimous decision at ONE 172 in March, after Superlek failed hydration at the weigh-ins in Japan and lost the belt on the scale. But the fight was changed to a non-title, three-round contest – and fans were left baffled when Anane wasn’t immediately crowned champion.
Nabil Anane (right) defeated Superlek at ONE 172 in Japan – but was only elevated from interim champion last month
Chatri and Anane were seen in an animated conversation backstage after the event, with the ONE CEO overheard saying: “What were we supposed to do?”
The boss had said publicly at the post-event press conference Superlek had refused to fight unless it was three rounds and non-title. But Superlek told the Bangkok Post in May he would have been fine with a title bout had Anane asked – and was confused when his team informed him the format had changed.
Chatri flatly denied that version, saying Superlek had told ONE’s vice president of competition Ric Auty in person after the weigh-ins that he would only compete in a three-round bout.
Superlek later gave his blessing for Haggerty to face Anane, as he took time off to recover from injuries. But he now appears set to face Yuki Yoza instead.
Yoza, a former K-1 champion, has made a flawless start in ONE with back-to-back unanimous decision wins – most recently over former champ Petchtanong at ONE Friday Fights 116.
Both Superlek and Haggerty had publicly lobbied for a fight with Yoza, who said he was open to either. But with Haggerty now turning his attention to Anane, it seems Superlek has won the race.
It’s possible both fights could take place at ONE 173 in Tokyo – but official announcements are yet to be made.