The growth of Muay Thai in the United Kingdom has been reaching a fever pitch in the last 12 months, and ONE Championship Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong wants to capitalize on the momentum.
Speaking on the Fight Disciples Podcast this past week, Sityodtong discussed plans for ONE’s arrival in the U.K., which may include a massive showdown between two-sport ONE World Champion Jonathan Haggerty and British striking legend Liam Harrison.
“We’re coming to the U.K. with a massive event,” he said.
“I have talked to both Liam Harrison and Jonathan Haggerty about having them fight each other at Wembley, right? So, whether it’s Wembley Arena or Wembley Stadium, who knows, it depends on our popularity in that moment.
“They are truly the world’s best. That would be an epic, epic fight for the World Title. Jonathan Haggerty vs. Liam Harrison. Everybody in the U.K. would go nuts.”
Since Haggerty rose to superstardom in the bantamweight realm, claiming both the Muay Thai and kickboxing crowns, he and Harrison have been going back and forth with one another on social media.
The pair were once supportive of each other, but it appears ONE gold has come between them.
However, before the two British superstars can entertain a prospective scrap, they’ll first have to free up their respective schedules.
Harrison will return to action after nearly two years away due to injury when he meets Katsuki Kitano at ONE 167: Tawanchai vs. Nattawut II on Saturday, 8th June.
Following that showdown, the 38-year-old brawler will go straight into preparation for his highly anticipated battle with Thai legend Seksan Or Kwanmuang at ONE 168: Denver on Saturday, 7th September.
Haggerty will also be appearing on that ever-evolving card. He’ll put the ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Title on the line against flyweight kickboxing king Superlek Kiatmoo9.
At the time of writing, ONE Championship hadn’t announced any details for a U.K. event this calendar year. But with the growing popularity of the combat sports giant around the world, it wouldn’t be surprising for news to drop soon.