- Zakaria El Jamari, 35, takes on 18-year-old Johan Ghazali at ONE Fight Night 35: Buntan vs Hemetsberger
- The three-round flyweight Muay Thai bout inside Lumpinee Stadium, Bangkok, will go down on September 5, 2025
- Ahead of ONE Fight Night 35, El Jamari has been training alongside Muay Thai king Superlek Kiatmoo9
Hard-hitting Moroccan slugger Zakaria El Jamari is promising fireworks when he collides with Malaysian-American teenage sensation Johan “Jojo” Ghazali in a three-round flyweight Muay Thai bout at ONE Fight Night 35: Buntan vs. Hemetsberger on Prime Video, live in U.S. primetime.
At 35 years old, El Jamari knows he’s fighting against time, while 18-year-old Ghazali is only beginning his journey. But the Moroccan star insists this matchup in Bangkok’s legendary Lumpinee Stadium on Friday, September 5, is perfect for his particular fighting style.
The confident striker thrives against aggressive opponents and he sees Ghazali’s come-forward approach as the prime ingredient for a guaranteed barnburner.
The battle-hardened veteran said:
“I think [I’ll win] in the second round for sure. Knockout. Everybody knows my style. This hand is my bomb. One of these two hands.
“Because we fight with four-ounce gloves, only one punch can finish everything. That’s why I love my hands.”
It won’t be the first time El Jamari will find himself in such a firefight.
At ONE Fight Night 22 in May 2024, he defeated Thongpoon PK Saenchai in a three-round war that sent the Lumpinee Stadium crowd into a frenzy. Not long after that, however, he suffered setbacks against elite opposition, including a loss to Ghazali’s compatriot Aliff Sor Dechapan.
After those defeats, he now views this clash with “Jojo” as a chance to reignite his run in the world’s largest martial arts organization. While he acknowledges Ghazali’s power, El Jamari believes his decades of experience will ultimately make the difference.
He said:
“Johan is a very dangerous fighter. His hands are very strong too – overhand and body shot are very good. I like it. But my experience is more than his. If you make that small mistake with me, he will go to sleep. Inshallah.”
And with their styles bound to clash head-on, El Jamari believes he and Ghazali are cut from the same cloth – two warriors who thrive in chaos.
The Moroccan veteran expects the fight to be a whirlwind of punches, elbows, and unrelenting pressure, with neither man willing to back down. In his eyes, that kind of contest is exactly what the fans want to see and right where he feels most at home.
He offered:
“Because I am a crazy fighter and Johan Ghazali is a crazy fighter. Two crazy fighters. Definitely fight of the night material.”
Ahead of ONE Fight Night 35, Zakaria El Jamari has been training alongside reigning ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion and former bantamweight Muay Thai king Superlek “The Kicking Machine” Kiatmoo9, one of the most decorated fighters in the world of striking.
He says the experience of working with the Thai superstar for the past two months has helped refine key details in his game that could make all the difference against a younger, more explosive opponent.
The Moroccan explained:
“I learned many things, especially the timing of his kicks. His nickname is ‘The Kicking Machine’ – very good timing, very strong legs. Also, his elbow technique, like what he did in America against Jonathan Haggerty. He has very high fight IQ in Muay Thai.
“He gave me many things. He told me to be calm when I catch the opponent. My problem is I get angry and rush. He told me every day: ‘Be calm. Don’t rush. Don’t fight only with heart. Be smart.’”
From sharpening his defense to knowing when to push forward, El Jamari feels the lessons he’s absorbed from Superlek will allow him to keep his composure while still applying his trademark pressure.
Meanwhile, Ghazali is a force to be reckoned with. The Malaysian-American burst onto the scene at ONE Friday Fights, rattling off four straight wins with three finishes to secure a life-changing US$100,000 main roster contract at the age of 16.
But after back-to-back defeats on the U.S. primetime stage, the teenage sensation is now looking to bounce back in a big way – and El Jamari believes this is where his experience could separate them.
While Ghazali’s popularity has made him a household name in his home country, the Moroccan thinks the added spotlight has also brought pressure.
As El Jamari put it:
“He lost his confidence. Why? Because he focuses on media, not on training. If he loses, the likes and comments will be bad. That’s why he loses confidence, because he’s still young.
“Me, I’m training silently. Focus on my game plan. Leave the fans talk. After the fight, only the winner can talk. Before a fight, everyone can talk anything, but after the fight, only the winner can talk. In the ring, it’s only me and Jojo – no fans.”