“I don't have room to lose” - Diego Paez admits his back was against the wall against rising star Johan Ghazali
31-year-old Colombian-American Muay Thai veteran Diego Paez suffered a heartbreaking setback in his ONE Championship debut in February, dropping a close three-round split decision to Filipino-American Sean Climaco.
But that loss only spurred Paez on to put in his best performance yet in the world's largest martial arts organization, and why he felt he was in a must-win situation at ONE Fight Night 32 on Prime Video last weekend.
Paez put together an impressive showing in another nail-biter against highly regarded Malaysian-American striker 'Jojo' Johan Ghazali.
Speaking to veteran MMA reporter Nick Atkin of Bangkok Post in a recent interview, Paez says he knew he had to beat Ghazali to keep his dream alive.
The Colombian-American said:
"I knew in this fight, I'm sorry, but I don't have room to lose. He has room to lose. And so I had to go out there and win my fight. But all the best to him. I hope he goes back, he gets his training in. He's got a good team behind him. He's got a bright future ahead of him, too."
ONE Fight Night 32: Nakrob vs. Jaosuayai on Prime Video went down live from the historic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, last Saturday, June 7. Fans in the United States and Canada can catch all the action via replay on-demand with an active Amazon Prime Video subscription.
Diego Paez gives credit to fallen foe Johan Ghazali: "He's got a big future ahead"
Colombian-American veteran Diego Paez may have sent opponent 'Jojo' Johan Ghazali into a losing spiral with back-to-back defeats. The Malaysian-American star has now lost three of his last four overall.
But Paez wants to give credit to his foe. He told Nick Atkin:
"You know, I didn't have much to say to him. I was enjoying my moment. But like I said earlier, he's a respectable opponent, you know. He's got a big future ahead."
Stay tuned to Sportskeeda MMA for all the latest news and updates surrounding Diego Paez's next fight.