- Malaysian-American teen prodigy Johan Ghazali returns against Moroccan star Zakaria El Jamari
- The flyweight Muay Thai clash at ONE Fight Night 35 in Bangkok is scheduled for September 5, 2025
- Expect both fighters to go for broke in their three-round clash inside the iconic Lumpinee Stadium
A pair of heartbreaking setbacks have left Johan “Jojo” Ghazali with a burning desire for redemption – and now the Malaysian-American knockout artist is about to make Zakaria El Jamari feel the heat inside Bangkok’s legendary Lumpinee Stadium on Friday, September 5.
The Rentap Muaythai Gym and Superbon Training Camp representative is ready to go for broke in their three-round flyweight Muay Thai clash at ONE Fight Night 35: Buntan vs. Hemetsberger on Prime Video.
Rather than allowing back-to-back defeats to Johan “Panda Kick” Estupinan and Diego Paez derail his fighting spirit, Ghazali will return to action with his confidence restored and his skills sharper, ready to remind everyone why he is still considered one of the promotion’s most dangerous young strikers.
The Sarawakian athlete, who has five knockouts from six victories in ONE Championship, has been patiently waiting for this chance to get his career back on track, and he plans to give it all he’s got against his Moroccan adversary.
The 18-year-old told onefc.com:
“Honestly, it means a lot to get this chance at revenge or redemption. I’ve been wanting to fight ever since my last defeat. Stepping back in there with two losses in a row, it’s going to feel different. But me? I’m the same old me. But the difference I guarantee is an evolved version of myself.”
The evolution that “Jojo” speaks involves his eagerness to employ a more technical approach than his usual head-hunting style. Ghazali was able to showcase his improved game in flashes in both his matches against Estupinan and Paez.
Combine that with his trademark crushing power and the teenager expects to completely overwhelm El Jamari:
“He has decent boxing – that’s about it. Nothing more. He doesn’t impress me. Either way you look at it, I’ll be ahead of him in any area of this fight. I have evolved.
“I cannot wait to show my upgrades, and I’m confident I’ll be finally able to prove that I’m more than just a knockout specialist who loves to come forward and throw.”
Focused on making an explosive return to the win column, the young gun would love nothing more than to add another highlight-reel finish to his resume and continue his climb up the stacked flyweight Muay Thai division.
Ghazali expects El Jamari to come forward aggressively, which he believes will set up the perfect conditions to end the Moroccan’s night early. But the finish won’t be something “Jojo” will look to force, unlike in the past.
Instead, he will let it come naturally and capitalize on the chance if it presents itself:
“Round one will be fast. Round two, just the same. The more he comes forward, the easier it’ll be for me to read his moves and find an opening.
“If I see the chance for the knockout, I’m going to take it. I don’t want to say that I’m going to be searching for that knockout, but you all know what happens when the opportunity is there.”
Although victory has eluded Johan Ghazali since the 18-year-old moved his pre-fight preparations to Superbon Training Camp in Bangkok, the Malaysian-American is confident he remains in the perfect place to keep leveling up his game.
Nothing beats the value of training day in and day out with several ONE World Champions, including reigning ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Champion Superbon and former longtime ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion Nong-O Hama, after all.
“Jojo” explained:
“The losses are only something that’s on the surface. But me, Superbon, and the rest of the guys who keep an eye out for me, they can see that I’m headed in the right direction.”
“For now, I don’t see myself at anywhere other than here. Everything’s good, and I couldn’t ask for anything more from all of these guys.”
Unlike Ghazali’s previous training camps, however, there have been a few significant changes implemented in his daily routine. Today, “Jojo” proudly calls Muay Thai living legend Nong-O his primary sparring partner.
The iconic Thai striker – a 267-win veteran – hasn’t let up on the teenager during their intense gym sessions, but Ghazali understands that tough roads often lead to beautiful destinations:
“For this fight camp, Nong-O has really been helping me a lot. He’s also been giving a lot of tips and he never goes easy on sparring. It’s crazy, but I’m making the most of this chance to share the mats with someone who has 300 fights.
“Besides all the tips, his eye for recognizing what needs to be fixed is really good. This goes back to my point why I believe I’m in the best place to level up now.”