Big Brother Approves: Jonathan Haggerty Praises Freddie’s Discipline
Jonathan Haggerty had a ringside seat for his brother’s toughest test yet, and the discipline he saw meant more to him than any highlight-reel finish would have.
Freddie Haggerty overcame Rungruanglek TN Muaythai via unanimous decision in their strawweight Muay Thai battle at The Inner Circle 30 in Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium this past Friday, September 11.
The younger Haggerty dropped Rungruanglek twice across the opening two rounds, first with a counter left hook off the ropes, then with a follow-up left hook to the temple off an exit from the clinch. Rungruanglek tried to weather the storm with digging elbows,but the 21-year-old Englishman stayed composed on the back foot, picking the Thai knockout artist apart with sharp counters until the final bell.
The decision snapped Rungruanglek’s five-fight winning streak and pushed Freddie’s record to 25-5, his second straight win of 2026.
“It was a great performance. It was pushing for the stoppage, but we didn’t get it,” Jonathan said. “It’s all love; it’s a learning curve. In this sport, you can never stop learning, so we’ll go back to the drawing board.”
The missing knockout mattered far less to Jonathan than the composure his brother showed from bell to bell. Patience is not always the easiest thing to preach in a sport built on highlight-reel finishes, but the reigning ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Championsees real value in Freddie choosing execution over urgency.
“I wasn’t disappointed that he didn’t get the knockout because if you go for the knockout too much, you rush, and things might not go your way,” he said. “I’m happy with his discipline, the way he stepped back, picked him off.”
That same appetite for improvement now turns toward Jonathan’s own assignment next month, when he defends his title against former divisional king Hiroki Akimoto in the main event of ONE SAMURAI 4 at Tokyo’s Ariake Arena on Saturday, October 17.
“I’m more than ready. Fans can expect fireworks, explosiveness, and a knockout,” he said.
Between his brother’s growth and his own title defense on the horizon, Jonathan closed with a message for the people who have carried him through both.
“Thank you so much for always supporting me for years now. Fans pick you up when you’re down. They make you positive. That extra bit of motivation just spurs you on.”
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