“Let’s go star boy” - Fans fully behind Johan Ghazali ahead of looming barnburner against fellow phenom Johan Estupinan at ONE 170

Johan Ghazali doesn't have to look far for motivation as he gears up for his upcoming assignment.

The Malaysian-American phenom is receiving an outpouring of support from fans, following ONE Championship's latest Instagram post, as he puts the finishing touches on his preparation for a flyweight Muay Thai clash against fellow rising star Johan Estupinan at ONE 170. The event is set to take place at the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand, on Jan. 24.

Check out the comments below:

“Let’s go star boy. Be ready to make Malaysia’s name rise again.”

“You got this bro.”

“Keep training, Jo!”

“Finish the last few weeks of your fight camp strong, Jojo.”

The praise for 'Jojo' is well-deserved, having earned five knockout victories under the promotion’s banner and establishing himself as a bona fide finisher.

Since making his debut with the world’s largest martial arts organization, Ghazali has been nothing short of exceptional. He immediately grabbed the spotlight with four straight wins on the weekly ONE Friday Fights series.

This impressive streak secured him a spot on the main roster and a lucrative $100,000 contract, solidifying his status as a Muay Thai prodigy. His first appearance on the big stage in Dec. 2023 exceeded all expectations, as he stunned the world by finishing Edgar Tabares in just 36 seconds.

Most recently, the 18-year-old wunderkind added to his highlight reel with a spectacular first-round knockout of Josue Cruz at ONE 168 in Sept. 2024.

With momentum on his side, Ghazali is now aiming to move one step closer to a world title shot in the division.

---

Johan Ghazali is intrigued by upcoming opponent’s skill set

However, Johan Ghazali faces an arduous challenge in the form of Johan Estupinan at ONE 170.

In an interview with Anything Combat, Ghazali expressed his admiration for Estupinan’s style, acknowledging the tough test his next opponent presents:

"He's a very unorthodox fighter. A different fighter. He doesn't fight like traditional Thais or traditional Muay Thai fighters."