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The MUA Thai and Kickboxing star is in Qatar before fighting the world championship against China Wei Rui on February 20.
A Bantamweight World Cickboxing Champion Jonathan The General Hagerti is in Doha, Qatar to defend his title on February 20 in the event “One 171 Mixed Martial Arts” by Lusail Sports Arena.
The British fighter will defend his coveted world title for the first time and is attracted to the contender for number 1, Wei Rui, Chinese Kickboxing Megastar, who rides an amazing winning series of 21 paints.
Al Jazeera talks to the Muay Thai and Kickboxing star before the long -awaited match in one 171:
Al Jazaera: Hi Jonathan, welcome to Doha. You used to go around the Middle East – have you noticed a step in the interest of a MMA fan this time?
Jonathan Haggerti: Yes, it is amazing to return here in Qatar. This time I am fighting, I am competing, so I have seen a lot of interest in social media around this match, a lot of support from Cataris and it was great. I am very excited to present a great show.
Al Jazaera: You are many world champions at Muay Thai, but you have recently moved to Kickboxing and defending your world title in this discipline in Qatar. Why did you go to Kickboxing?
Jonathan Haggerti: Yes, I recently moved to kickboxing. I was obviously the World Muay Thai champion. I've had several Muay Thai battles, Muay Thai is my first love. But now I also moved to kickboxing. I am very excited to compete in kickboxing. I got the opportunity and took it with two hands. And now I'm a world champion, I can't wait to protect the kickboxing belt this Thursday.
Al Jazeera: You are struggling with a super dangerous opponent in Wei Rui. What do you expect from him when you meet in the ring of the event “One 171” on Thursday night?
Jonathan Haggerti: Yes, 100 percent. My opponent is very dangerous. We can't take it lightly. He has 70-3 recording, which is very good, very impressive, and he is number one (in the kickboxing ranking) for some reason, so I am now the best version of me. We are ready, we are ready for everything he carries.
AL JAZEERA: You have been involved in MMA competition for more than a decade. At the age of 28, do you feel you hit your top, but as a fighter, as a competitor?
Jonathan Haggerti: One hundred percent, I have not yet reached my peak. I feel that my peak is yet to come. And I'm excited when it comes. I have the feeling that I still test myself in both disciplines (Muay Thai and Kickboxing) and will be fully developed over the next few years, for sure.
Al Jazeera: What goals would you like to achieve in your fighting career?
Jonathan Haggerti: I will definitely want to continue the World MMA title. So, if a championship decides to give me the World MMA title, then I will definitely be excited about it for sure.
This interview is edited for length and clarity.
