Jonathan Haggerty Vs. Wei Rui: 4 Keys To Victory In Kickboxing World Title Fight At ONE 171: Qatar

The co-main event of ONE 171: Qatar will feature two of the planet’s top pound-for-pound strikers, as British superstar Jonathan “The General” Haggerty defends his ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Title against #1-ranked contender “Demon Blade” Wei Rui.

Going down this Thursday, February 20, that matchup will mark Haggerty’s first defense of the divisional belt against an incredibly accomplished challenger.

Chinese sensation Wei will enter the bout riding an impressive 21-fight winning streak that dates back to 2018, defeating former ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Champion Hiroki Akimoto in his hotly anticipated promotional debut last May.

Meanwhile, “The General” aims to remind fans of his incredible punching power and supreme technical prowess after losing his ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Title to Superlek Kiatmoo9 in his most recent outing.

Before the Circle Door closes at Lusail Sports Arena, we dive into each athlete’s keys to victory in this massive World Title showdown.

#1 Wei’s Punishing Left Kick

The challenger is a dangerously talented southpaw striker, so it’s no surprise that his left kick – particularly when he throws it to the body – is one of his best overall weapons.

In his dazzling debut, Wei found plenty of success early with his punishing left kick, often firing it at Akimoto’s arms in an effort to rob him of punching power and force him on the defensive.

Against Haggerty, he would be wise to center his game plan around the left kick. Each and every bone-crushing strike that lands on the titleholder’s arms will not only damage his venomous right hand but also create openings for a knockout blow as the fight progresses.

#2 Haggerty’s Show-Stopping Right Hand

After scoring highlight-reel knockouts in each of his last three victories, “The General” has cemented himself as one of the world’s most devastating finishers – and his single most dangerous strike is his massive straight right hand.

While the 27-year-old possesses excellent footwork and elusive movement, he tends to do his best work when he’s moving forward and looking for the knockout with his right hand.

Typically, he’ll set up this concussive punch with a simple jab or a push kick to the body as he seeks to create even the smallest of openings.

The right hand should be his primary weapon against the southpaw Wei. If Haggerty can back the Chinese fighter against the Circle Wall, he will likely unleash his straight right in the hunt for another spectacular finish.

#3 Wei’s Crispy Right Hook

Because Wei comes from a sanda background, much attention is given to his dynamic kicking game, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t a world-class puncher.

Quite the opposite, the 33-year-old is just as dangerous with his hands, and his thunderous right hook could make the difference at ONE 171: Qatar.

Notably, “Demon Blade” likes to throw his right hook in a variety of situations, whether he’s landing it while moving forward and in combination with other strikes or on the counter when he’s moving backward.

If Haggerty has one weakness, it’s that he occasionally lets his guard down as he attacks. Doing so would be Wei’s opportunity to fire off his crispy-clean right hook, and if it lands flush to the jaw, it could end the matchup early.

#4 Haggerty’s Underrated Leg Kicks

If Haggerty wants to score another knockout and leave Qatar with his 26 pounds of gold, he’ll first have to pin down the speedy and elusive Wei.

Because the Chinese athlete is such an excellent mover – and because this bout is taking place in a cage and not a ring – “The General” must be creative to slow his foe. To that end, he should invest in leg kicks early and often.

Even though Haggerty is best known for his terrifying punching power and vicious boxing combinations, he is a well-rounded striker and a master of technique in all areas.

The titleholder’s leg kicks would likely pay dividends against Wei, as they would slow his movement, rack up critical damage points, and set up bigger strikes to the head.

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