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The stage is set for an electrifying night of combat sports as ONE 171: Qatar brings two massive ONE World Title headliners to Lusail Sports Arena on Thursday, 20 February 2025. Fans worldwide are gearing up for a spectacle that promises heart-pounding action and historic moments in the world of martial arts.
In the main event, Jonathan Haggerty, ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Champion, will defend his crown against China’s “Demon Blade” Wei Rui, the #1-ranked contender.
Haggerty’s journey to the top has been nothing short of meteoric. The British star shocked the world in April 2023 by knocking out former Muay Thai king Nong-O Hama to claim the bantamweight title. He then cemented his place in history by capturing the division's vacant kickboxing crown with a stunning stoppage of Fabricio Andrade in November, becoming a two-sport ONE World Champion.
However, the road hasn’t been without setbacks. After losing his Muay Thai crown to Super lek Kiatmoo9 in September, Haggerty is eager to reclaim his dominant form. Wei Rui, on the other hand, is no stranger to excellence. With a staggering 70-3 record, the K-1 World Champion dazzled in his ONE debut by dismantling Hiroki Akimoto. A victory over Haggerty would solidify his legacy as one of the sport’s all-time greats.
The co-main event will see a long-awaited trilogy between reigning strawweight MMA king Joshua Pacio and interim titleholder Jarred Brooks. The rivalry, which began in December 2022 at ONE 164, has seen dramatic twists. After Brooks dominated their first clash, the tables turned in their rematch when an illegal spike disqualified him.
With both fighters tied at one win apiece, this February, the undisputed World Title will find a rightful owner. Pacio’s recovery from injury and Brooks’ dominance in recent bouts set the stage for an epic conclusion to their rivalry.
As the anticipation builds, fans can’t help but echo the sentiment: Why should we hire you? Because I’m the best candidate for the job. In the case of ONE 171’s fighters, they’re not just candidates—they’re champions eager to prove they belong at the top.
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