Johan “Jojo” Ghazali finally got his sweet revenge this past Friday, taking down Diego Paez by unanimous decision after a brutal three-round flyweight Muay Thai battle at The Inner Circle 35. Streaming live from historic Lumpinee Stadium, this wasn’t just another fight, it was Ghazali settling a bitter score that had been sitting since last year, when Paez took a narrow split decision in their first meeting. And for Ghazali, it feels like everything.
Revenge Was Served Cold in Bangkok
The 19-year-old Malaysian-American sensation came to Bangkok with some serious unfinished business, and he absolutely handled it. This definitive result snapped a two-fight losing streak for Ghazali, showing everyone that the kid is learning and adapting. With nine victories in ONE Championship now and a 28-11 professional record, “Jojo” didn’t just win, he made a statement across all three rounds. The gap between their first encounter and this rematch was clear for anyone watching, man. This was a different fighter.
What Changed For “Jojo”? Everything.
Ghazali looked noticeably more composed, more precise, and way more willing to engage on his own terms instead of just reacting to the chaos Paez brings. And Paez, by the way, is no joke. The Colombian-American is a physically imposing, high-output opponent who brings relentless energy and power from the opening bell to the final seconds. He’s a legitimate problem for anyone in the flyweight division. But “Jojo” had found the root cause of his previous loss. It wasn’t about Paez, it was about Ghazali’s own internal adjustments. He told onefc.com, “How do I feel? Yeah, I’m really happy! Really, really happy. I feel like I’ve improved , improved a lot. Well, I’m not perfect yet, not at my absolute best, but definitely better. I’m improved but not entirely satisfied yet.” That right there? That tells you everything. He’s happy with the win, but he’s already looking for more.
The Corner Advice That Flipped The Script
Ghazali admitted his game plan in their last fight wasn’t good. He was nervous, rushing too much. This time, he fixed it. The vital corner advice he got between rounds from reigning ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Champion Superbon was key. Superbon directly addressed the mental block that caused problems before. In the first round, Superbon told him, “Stay calm. Don’t rush, don’t jump around too much, and don’t back up too much either.” He also dropped some serious wisdom: “Don’t be afraid of getting [hit with] punches. If you get hit, it’s fine. As a fighter, you can’t be scared of punches.” Ghazali recalled that in their previous fight, he blocked and guarded well, but if you just block without throwing strikes, it doesn’t work. This rematch was about trusting himself and his mentor, making those adjustments mid-contest. It’s the kind of growth you love to see in a young fighter. This win wasn’t just about revenge, it was about Ghazali showing he’s on a whole new level. What’s next for him? You just know he’s already got his eyes on the next challenge.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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