5 Spectacular Victories: Inside Johan Estupinan’s Perfect Run In ONE Championship
Colombian phenom Johan “Panda Kick” Estupinan has taken ONE Championship by storm since his promotional debut nearly one year ago.
With his unblemished professional record and unmatched aggression, the 22-year-old standout has quickly cemented himself as a must-watch attraction each and every time he enters the Circle or ring. That, along with his razor-sharp skills, has earned him the #5 spot in the talent-laden flyweight Muay Thai rankings.
The global fan base will get to see Estupinan back in action when he faces Japanese veteran Taiki “Silent Sniper” Naito in a flyweight Muay Thai bout at ONE Fight Night 32: Nakrob vs. Jaosuayai on Prime Video, which broadcasts live in U.S. primetime on Friday, June 6.
Before that high-stakes matchup goes down at Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium, we take a closer look at the five unforgettable victories that have defined the Colombian striker’s career thus far in the world’s largest martial arts organization.
#1 A 27-Second Debut
Estupinan announced his arrival in spectacular fashion at ONE Friday Fights 64 in May 2024. That evening, he demolished Naito’s Japanese compatriot Kouta “Black Samurai” Omori in just 27 seconds.
The South American dynamo wasted no time in introducing fans to his electrifying brand of striking, as he opened the battle with a flying kick-superman punch combination that immediately forced Omori on the back foot.
“Panda Kick” followed that up with a thunderous kick to the jaw, which wobbled his foe, and then finished him with a venomous left hand.
In less than half a minute, Estupinan had set the stage for one of the most impressive five-bout runs ever seen in ONE.
#2 Dominance In U.S. Primetime
The Colombian carried his momentum into his hotly anticipated U.S. primetime debut at ONE 167 last June, where he dismantled Turkey’s Zafer Sayik with a unique blend of technical brilliance and relentless pressure.
Estupinan scored a pair of early knockdowns inside Bangkok’s Impact Arena – first with a big right hand and then with a perfectly timed right hook, which caught Sayik as he waded into the pocket.
Although his Turkish rival showed incredible heart in surviving the full three rounds, “Panda Kick” dominated every minute of the action to secure a lopsided unanimous decision victory.
In the process, Estupinan also proved he wasn’t just about the quick finishes and could maintain his high-octane style for nine minutes straight against quality opposition.
#3 Destruction In Denver
Estupinan’s next bout at ONE 168 in Denver last September provided the perfect opportunity for him to showcase his dazzling skills to North American fans live and in the flesh. He delivered in a big way, engaging in an epic barnburner with Sean “The One” Climaco that extended his undefeated record.
With both athletes more than willing to throw down, the firefight began immediately, as the two strikers traded knockdowns in a wild first round that electrified the crowd inside Ball Arena.
However, in the second frame, Estupinan’s crushing power proved to be too much.
The Colombian sent Climaco crashing to the canvas three times with his trademark looping punches to secure the TKO victory, earn his first US$50,000 performance bonus, and cement himself as the flyweight Muay Thai division’s fastest rising star.
#4 A Bangkok Brawl
Estupinan returned a month later for his fourth promotional appearance at ONE Fight Night 25, where he faced hard-hitting boxing specialist Zakaria El Jamari in yet another explosive contest.
Much to the delight of the Thai crowd inside Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium, the two strikers exchanged blows at a frantic pace from the opening bell. While El Jamari was able to wobble the Colombian with some sharp counter-punches, “Panda Kick” maintained his composure and stuck to his game plan.
In the second frame, he blitzed the Moroccan athlete with combination after combination until finding the fight-ending shot – a savage left hand that put El Jamari down and out for the count.
With another highlight-reel knockout in the books, Estupinan left the Thai capital with his second consecutive US$50,000 performance bonus and elevated his star power to entirely new heights.
#5 The Battle Of The Johans
This past January at ONE 170, the young phenom went toe-to-toe with fellow Muay Thai prodigy Johan “Jojo” Ghazali and thrilled everyone inside the Impact Arena in Bangkok.
The highly anticipated showdown got off to a captivating start, as the Malaysian-American teenager scored an early knockdown. However, Estupinan roared back in the second round and dropped Ghazali with crisp punches.
In the third and final stanza, both men were competitive to the very end. But Estupinan’s kicking and boxing prowess helped him secure a hard-fought unanimous decision.
After five impressive victories in ONE, “Panda Kick” has inched closer and closer to a crack at the vacant ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Title. The Colombian’s battle with Naito on June 6 will give him another opportunity to prove he’s ready for a crack at gold.
