‘I Silenced The Critics’ – Johan Ghazali Looks Back On Rocky 2025, Shares Dreams For The New Year
Malaysian-American teenage sensation Johan “Jojo” Ghazali didn’t exactly have the 2025 he planned for, but the setbacks he endured have fueled his development like never before.
The 19-year-old knockout merchant entered the year riding a wave of momentum, scoring six victories in seven outings, capped by a US$50,000 performance bonus-winning first-round destruction of Josue “Tuzo” Cruz at ONE 168: Denver in September 2024.
Confidence remained Ghazali’s calling card, and the future looked limitless for one of ONE Championship’s most exciting young fighters. But fate had other plans.
In January, fellow young firecracker Johan “Panda Kick” Estupinan handed him a unanimous decision loss. Five months later, Diego Paez brought on more misery, giving the teenager a split decision defeat at ONE Fight Night 32 in June.
Suddenly, the once-unstoppable star found himself at a crossroads. Ghazali reflected:
“Estupinan was a fun fight, and Paez was another good one. I do not make excuses, but it was a big year for me as I had just moved to Superbon Training Camp, training out for the first time. I was out of my comfort zone.”
Despite absorbing consecutive losses in the first half of the year, “Jojo” knew he was exactly where he needed to be.
Under undisputed ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Champion Superbon‘s guidance, with former Thai legend Nong-O Hama as his primary sparring partner, Petchtanong Petchfergus working on his conditioning, and the world-famous Trainer Gae sharpening his weapons, Ghazali’s transformation unfolded at full blast.
He continued:
“I was adapting, I needed to bring a new game, a new skill set. While [losing] did hurt, guys like Superbon, Nong-O, Petchtanong, and Trainer Gae told me I’m on the right path. I stuck to their advice, knowing I would eventually find a way out.”
Months of hard work led to a victorious return against Zakaria El Jamari at ONE Fight Night 35 this past September. Ghazali methodically broke down his foe, mixing his attacks before unleashing a final right elbow that sent El Jamari down to the canvas.
“Jojo” didn’t wait for confirmation. He walked away with supreme confidence, knowing his work was done as the referee waved off the contest at 2:10 of the opening round.
While his trademark knockout power earned him his sixth highlight-reel win in ONE, it was poise and technique that led him to the finish, validating all his hard work alongside Muay Thai royalty:
“I had worked hard, and to get that first-round finish meant a lot. It showed that I was right where I needed to be. It went just as planned. I came for the knockout, yes, but I did show new aspects of my game with the kicks, the patience, and the technical aspects of it. It was beautiful.”
As 2025 draws to a close, the Rentap Muaythai Gym and Superbon Training Camp fighter looks back on the year not with bitterness or regret, but with gratitude.
The 19-year-old emerged as a more complete martial artist with the mental fortitude to trust the process even when results don’t come immediately.
He told onefc.com:
“The year taught me a lot. Those defeats, in a way, were a chapter that I’m grateful for. Losses teach us to bounce back stronger, and, like I always say, pressure makes diamonds. So fans got to witness that when I got my knockout win. I silenced the critics and the doubters.”
Ghazali Vows To Do What He Does Best In 2026
Johan Ghazali’s wishlist for the New Year isn’t about merely avenging losses or collecting victories — it’s about continuing the evolution that 2025’s adversity sparked.
In the flyweight Muay Thai division overflowing with dangerous contenders and established veterans, “Jojo” knows his rise could never be a walk in the park.
Still, the young Malaysian-American fighter has three clear goals as the calendar turns:
“I just want to continue getting more victories, continue putting my name out there, and keep up my evolution as a fighter. These are my three main goals. The flyweight division is stacked. There is a tough road ahead, but, if anything, 2025 taught me that I can arise from challenges.”
That journey will begin at ONE Fight Night 39 on Prime Video inside Bangkok’s legendary Lumpinee Stadium on Friday, January 23, where Ghazali squares off against Sean “The One” Climaco.
This flyweight Muay Thai matchup carries extra significance. The Filipino-American star has a victory over Diego Paez, the very fighter who handed Ghazali a second consecutive loss this year.
Unlike 2025, when setbacks temporarily knocked the wind out of his sails, the teenage finishing machine wants to launch his 2026 campaign with a statement victory and carry that momentum over the next 12 months.
The stakes are high. But as Ghazali himself would tell you, it’s pressure that makes diamonds:
“This is a matchup that makes sense. He beat Diego Paez, I lost to Diego Paez, and I think it’ll be an exciting one. I’ll kill two birds with one stone if I get the win here. Insha-Allah, if all goes well, it should be easy.”
