Malaysian-American teen prodigy Johan Ghazali returns against Moroccan star Zakaria El Jamari
The flyweight Muay Thai clash at ONE Fight Night 35 is scheduled for September 5, 2025
"There are a few lessons that I have learned this year," said 18-year-old Ghazali
The path to greatness has never been more clearly defined for Malaysian-American Muay Thai sensation Johan “Jojo” Ghazali ahead of his next fight inside Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium on Friday, September 5.
After enduring the most challenging period of his young career, the 18-year-old knockout machine is ready to turn pain into power against Moroccan dynamite Zakaria El Jamari in a flyweight Muay Thai clash, live in U.S. primetime, at ONE Fight Night 35: Buntan vs. Hemetsberger on Prime Video.
Back-to-back defeats to Johan “Panda Kick” Estupinan and Diego Paez disappointed Ghazali, not because they halted his momentum, but because they revealed the risks of depending entirely on his signature knockout power and aggressive style.
The realization that opponents were beginning to solve his puzzle forced the Malaysian-American to expand his strategic framework. His greatest asset had become a liability as opponents learned to anticipate his approach.
He told onefc.com:
“There are a few lessons that I have learned this year. The first loss [to Estupinan] was very hard for me because I switched camps, I moved out of my comfort zone, and changed so many things. I mean, it wasn’t even that bad from a fight, considering everything I was going through.
“But from both fights, I think I learned that I needed to switch my style because before, nobody knew who I was – nobody knew the power or the combos I have. However, after several fights, people start studying you, people start realizing, ‘Oh, he does this or he does that.’”
Making this major shift proved more challenging than expected. “Jojo” discovered this the more hours he spent alongside ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Champion Superbon and former ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion Nong-O Hama.
Instead of smashing the pads with his potent right fist, Ghazali started throwing with more volume. He also had to learn how to set up his hands with a mix of kicks, teeps, knees, and elbows – all essential weapons in “the art of eight limbs.”
While it certainly has been a humbling journey at Superbon Training Camp, the Sarawakian phenom believes the wisdom and tricks he’s acquired from Muay Thai and kickboxing royalty will complement his natural gifts in this matchup:
“At Superbon’s place, I have plenty of people around to guide me. Like say, for example, if my punching is not working, or I need to know how to kick, they’re there to help with the basics.
“They have so many different styles of fighting, and I can work on my kicks, I can work on my elbows, and so much more. The goal is to really sharpen up my original style, just in case I fight against another tricky opponent.”
Ghazali Gains Valuable Insight From Rodtang
Perhaps the most valuable aspect of Johan Ghazali’s recent journey has been the guidance he’s received from World Champions who have walked similar paths.
Apart from Superbon, Nong-O, and Petchtanong Petchfergus, one of the conversations that resonated most deeply with “Jojo” came from Rodtang “The Iron Man” Jitmuangnon, who personally reached out to him before and after his latest setback at ONE Fight Night 32 this past June.
The former longtime ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion acknowledged that “Jojo’s” decision to employ a more strategic approach will benefit him in the long run, even if it means hitting a couple of bumps along the way.
Ghazali recalled:
“Rodtang messaged me before and after the fight against Paez. Before the fight, he told me, I needed to change my style. He said, ‘Before I was a crazy fighter just like you, but I realized I had to change because people were starting to read my style.’
“After that fight, he told me, ‘Well, you’re doing good, you’re on track. It’s just that you haven’t fully captured it yet.’ But, in all honesty, it’s minor setbacks. It’s nothing to be afraid of.”
Armed with an expanded arsenal and the wisdom of athletes who have tasted World Title success on the global stage, the 18-year-old looks to prove his recent struggles were merely detours on his path to greatness.
While El Jamari believes he can put the young gun to sleep, Ghazali is ready to spring a surprise when the bell rings inside the Mecca of Muay Thai on September 5:
“He’s got to watch out for what I bring into this fight. My aggressive style will always be there, but it’s going to be more refined with a lot more tricks.”
