ONE 171 in Qatar has its main event! Kickboxing fans will be treated to the return of Jonathan Haggerty as he defends his ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing title against Chinese striker Wei Rui on February 20, 2025.
Haggerty, 27, was crowned two-sport champion after stopping Fabricio Andrade in November last year and taking home the vacant ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing title. However, the British star couldn't replicate that success in his next outing, falling short against Superlek in a bid to defend his Muay Thai belt. Determined to bounce back, he now faces a seasoned veteran in his quest to reclaim momentum.
At 35 years old, former K-1 champion Wei Rui brings a stellar 70-3 record and years of experience to the fight, making him a tough challenge for ONE's surging star. His impressive résumé includes wins over elite fighters like Petchpanomrung, Kongnapa, Jia Aoqi, and Ren Hiramoto, cementing his status as one of the division's top fighters throughout the years.
Rui made his promotional debut in May, earning a controversial decision victory over former champion Hiroki Akimoto at ONE Fight Night 22—a result that sparked heated debate among fans. Despite the controversy, his credentials are undeniable, and he enters this bout as the division's top-ranked contender.
