​ONE Championship has locked in a blockbuster showdown for ONE SAMURAI 4, as Jonathan “The General” Haggerty prepares to defend his ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Title against Hiroki Akimoto, the former ruler who once sat atop the throne Haggerty now occupies. This pairing brings two world-class strikers head-to-head on Saturday, October 17, with live action from the iconic Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan.
Haggerty is widely regarded as one of the sport’s top pound-for-pound strikers. The London native trains with Team Underground and Knowlesy Academy and comes into the bout with a career record of 24-5, including an impressive 10-3 mark inside ONE Championship. He remains undefeated in kickboxing competition under the ONE banner and is a former holder of multiple titles across Muay Thai and kickboxing within ONE. In November 2023, he captured a third belt by defeating Fabricio “Wonder Boy” Andrade, seizing the ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Championship in a bout that culminated in a knockout finish in the second round to become a two-sport ONE World Champion.
Since that landmark night, Haggerty has continued to assert his dominance in the division. In 2025, he defeated Wei Rui, the seasoned Chinese veteran, to defend the title for the first time. Earlier in 2025, at the inaugural ONE SAMURAI 1 event, Haggerty outpointed Japanese veteran Yuki Yoza to secure a second successful title defense. Now, he faces a formidable Japanese challenger who is intent on reclaiming his former status as the division’s ruler.
Across the cage, Hiroki Akimoto stands as one of the bantamweight kickboxing division’s most dangerous and revitalized contenders. The 33-year-old Tokyo-based fighter is a former ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Champion with a 29-4 professional striking record and nine promotional wins. Akimoto’s journey back to the championship scene has been one of the sport’s most compelling redemption arcs. He earned his first title shot by winning five of his initial six ONE bouts, then showcased precise, punishing technique to capture the belt at ONE X in 2022.
Akimoto’s time atop the division was interrupted by a setback that tested his resolve, but 2025 marked a turning point. He scored notable victories over former ONE Bantamweight MMA World Champion John “Hands of Stone” Lineker and Wei, underscoring the quality of his rebuilt momentum. A split-decision win over fellow Japanese contender Taimu Hisai earlier this year further cemented his status as the rightful next challenger to the title he previously held.
With Haggerty’s undefeated kickboxing run on the line against a former champion returning to reclaim his throne, this title collision has all the ingredients of a striking classic. The two men bring contrasting styles, eras, and narratives into the ring, creating a clash that promises high-level technique, power, and dramatic momentum shifts. Fans can expect a showcase of precision striking, tactical pressure, and the kind of heart-stopping exchanges that have defined the bantamweight kickboxing division in ONE Championship.
As the fighters prepare for the octagon’s electric atmosphere in Tokyo, the bout remains a focal point of ONE SAMURAI 4, offering a fresh chapter in a storied rivalry and a potential moment that could shape the division’s trajectory for years to come. This matchup is a blueprint for an action-packed, technique-driven championship clash that both veterans and newcomers will want to study, given the stakes, the histories, and the high-level skill set on display. The countdown to October 17 continues, with fans eagerly anticipating a fight that could redefine the bantamweight kickboxing landscape.