"I wouldn't want to leave myself too exposed" - Johan Ghazali shoring up his defense for Nguyen Tran Duy Nhat's lethal high kicks

Johan Ghazali vows to produce another knockout at ONE 167. However, he knows he could get caught slacking when he starts head hunting inside the Impact Arena on June 7.

The Malaysian-American teenage phenom faces a fellow knockout specialist, Nguyen Tran Duy Nhat, when ONE Championship returns to Bangkok's Impact Arena next week.

Given their similar penchant for producing a highlight-reel moment, the Rentap Muaythai Gym upstart is keen to iron up his flaws when he's trading fire with fire alongside the 35-year-old Hochiminh City Muay Team veteran.

In particular, he is focused on tucking in the four-ounce gloves close to his chin because he knows the Vietnamese striker wouldn't need a second invitation to land his trademark high kicks when an opportunity presents itself.

Speaking exclusively to ONE Championship, Johan Ghazali said:

"I wouldn't want to leave myself too exposed because I know his high kicks will be there waiting. So, I've really sharpened a lot of my defense and ways to hit or strike when he does hit with his kicks to the head."

If he manages to get that out of the way, the 17-year-old warrior, who has dazzled in the promotion so far with four knockouts, wouldn't think twice about letting Nguyen taste his firepower.

The entire ONE 167 card will be available live and for free to active Amazon Prime Video subscribers in the United States and Canada next Friday, June 7.

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Johan Ghazali thrilled to compete alongside idols Rodtang, Tawanchai

During a separate interview with Sportsmanor, Johan Ghazali bared his excitement to compete alongside ONE flyweight Muay Thai world champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon and featherweight Muay Thai kingpin Tawanchai PK Saenchai.

Below is what he had to say about fighting on the same card as his idols:

"It's cool to see me fighting on the same card as Tawanchai and Rodtang, and all these well-known legendary fighters. It's cool, you know. I grew up watching these people."

Tawanchai defends his prestigious 26-pound gold against No.3-ranked Jo Nattawut, while Rodtang faces Denis Puric in a flyweight kickboxing affair on the June 7 spectacle.