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    “We knew what he was going to bring” – Jonathan Haggerty says Yuki Yoza brought nothing to the ring that surprised him

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    Reigning ONE bantamweight kickboxing world champion Jonathan Haggerty of England walked into ONE SAMURAI 1 with a complete blueprint of his opponent. That game plan was executed to perfection, and he left with his title intact.

    “The General” successfully defended his bantamweight kickboxing crown against Japanese sensation Yuki Yoza via unanimous decision at Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan, last April.

    It was a grueling five-round battle against a dangerous challenger riding a 13-fight winning streak, but the English champion never looked rattled throughout.

    Yoza brought his trademark Kyokushin karate-style leg attacks, sharp calf kicks, and spinning techniques.

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    For many opponents, that combination would have posed significant problems. For Haggerty and his team, it was all accounted for well before fight night.

    He told Muay Thai Around The World:

    “I wouldn’t say worried. Obviously, you’re coming up against a great opponent, so you’re wary of what he’s going to bring. But we knew what he was going to bring. Hence why we studied him, and we trained the way we did…”

    Watch the full interview:

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    The champion’s preparation was thorough and deliberate. Every weapon Yoza carried into the ring had already been studied and neutralized in camp. It all came down to performing everything he worked for on the grandest stage.

    Haggerty responded not with surprise but with solutions, and added another massive feather to his illustrious career.

    Jonathan Haggerty says he was Yuki Yoza’s kryptonite

    At the end of the day, Jonathan Haggerty believes his style was simply the perfect counter to Yuki Yoza’s.

    The outcome wouldn’t have been different any other way, as far as the British champion is concerned.

    “The General” said in the same interview:

    “I think I’ve said it in many interviews before: he’s not come up against somebody like myself. I just feel like my style was perfect for his style… A lot of fans have said it seems like Yuki depends too much on calf kicks. Definitely agree with that.”