British Muay Thai legend Liam Harrison is an encyclopedia of knowledge when it comes to ‘the art of eight limbs.’ Even more so when it refers to his homeland of the United Kingdom, and he sees great potential in a ONE Championship show taking place in the UK.
In the last few years, the world’s largest martial arts organization has seen an influx of British talent invade multiple divisions across MMA, Muay Thai, and submission grappling. The 39-year-old has led the way for his nation for many years. It’s something he’s very proud to witness.
Stars such as ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Champion Jonathan Haggerty and Scottish knockout artist Nico Carrillo have made themselves known on the roster. Not only that, but the sport of Muay Thai has risen to new heights in the United Kingdom. So if a show was to hit Old Blighty, Liam Harrison would love a chance to feature prominently before his days are done.
“I still think there’s the chance to build an incredible card,” Liam Harrison buzzed.
“I could fight, the Haggerty brothers could fight, Nico [Carrillo] can too,” Liam Harrison continued. “So could George Jarvis and Liam Nolan. The talent is all there, and they could do serious numbers. I just don’t know how long it takes to make moves like that. But I hope they can do that before I retire.”
With Brits establishing themselves on the roster, and more coming through multiple Road to ONE tournaments around the country, ONE Championship’s matchmakers would have many names to choose from. The UK is known for its love of combat sports, but one fight in particular seems to have already earned plenty of interest online.
England’s Haggerty and Scotland’s Carrillo have both firmly cemented themselves as two of the biggest names to venture from the isle: Haggerty, a former two-sport bantamweight king, and Carrillo – a former interim bantamweight Muay Thai World Title challenger before moving to the featherweight division.
The pair are far from friends, having shared words on multiple occasions. Their most recent confrontation came in the sauna this past January at ONE 170. So it would make for a perfect headliner for a British event.
However, Carrillo’s move to featherweight this past April at ONE Fight Night 30 – where he dispatched Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong in the second round – may have just put that possibility to bed. That’s the opinion of the legendary Liam Harrison, but he’s convinced the duo will continue to bring the heat whenever they set foot in the ring.
“[Carrillo] looked like an animal against Sitthichai, so I’m looking forward to seeing how he does there. Jon’s bantamweight through and through. So I think the ship has sailed now,” he said.
“I think they can both do great things in their divisions.”
Nothing is yet on the books for a ONE Championship visit to the UK. For fans, it remains high on the wish list. But as the roster continues to be invaded by British names, the possibility of an event only rises.
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