ONE Championship delivered the drama in 2023.
With over 50 massive events, dozens of World Title fights, and no shortage of unforgettable battles, fans witnessed plenty of gasp-worthy moments this year.
With that said, one jaw-dropping fight stands out among the rest for leaving fans stunned in utter disbelief — Jonathan “The General” Haggerty’s spectacular first-round knockout of Nong-O Hama in the main event of ONE Fight Night 9.
When the pair clashed in April, Nong-O had firmly established himself as one of the most revered athletes in Muay Thai history.
A veteran of well over 300 professional fights, the Thai superstar boasted a pristine 10-0 record in ONE and had held the ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Title since 2019, having successfully defended his gold seven times.
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Nong-O’s flawless run in the world’s largest martial arts organization had been nothing short of dominant. Not only had he rarely found himself in trouble over the course of his ONE tenure, but he looked to be in the finest form of his illustrious career. After all, he came into the contest riding five consecutive knockouts.
What’s more, the longtime bantamweight Muay Thai king was defending his crown on home turf – at “The Mecca of Muay Thai” that is Bangkok’s legendary Lumpinee Boxing Stadium.
While all the cards seemed stacked in Nong-O’s favor, “The General” had other plans.
A former ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion, Haggerty had proven himself to be an elite striker, but few expected the Brit to pull off the upset in enemy territory.
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After two minutes of tense action, the challenger landed a crushing right hand to send Nong-O tumbling to the canvas and stun the passionate Bangkok crowd.
Showing his championship mettle, Nong-O gamely returned to his feet only to suffer two more knockdowns in rapid succession, again thanks to concussive right hands from “The General.”
The third and final knockdown left the veteran limp on the mat as an overjoyed Haggerty ran around the ring, roaring in jubilation after scoring the monumental upset.
That sensational finish sent shockwaves through the world of Muay Thai and stands out as the most shocking moment of 2023.
