ONE 168 results: Johan Ghazali vs. Josue Cruz
The ONE 168: Denver card marked the return of 17-year-old phenom Johan Ghazali. He faced Mexican contender Josue Cruz in a flyweight Muay Thai showdown in front of the Ball Arena crowd in Denver.
Ghazali was looking to bounce back from his first defeat under the world's largest martial arts organization, while Cruz was still looking for his first victory. See the blow-by-blow action from the thrilling matchup.
Round 1: Ghazali immediately moved forward and attacked Cruz's head and body. Ghazali caught Cruz with a solid right hook that clipped Cruz. But the Mexican tried his best to fend off the pressure with multiple kicks to Ghazali's body. The teenage rising star was more patient in his approach and was not going crazy with his strikes, unlike his previous fights.
Ghazali was raining down straight punches until he connected a beautiful left hook that knocked down Cruz in the last second of the opening round. With the torque that Ghazali put on that punch, Cruz failed to answer the referee's eight-count, which officially ended the match.
ONE 168: Denver - Johan Ghazali vs. Josue Cruz official result
Johan Ghazali returned to the win column with a buzzer-beater knockout of Josue Cruz in their flyweight Muay Thai matchup. He showcased his power in front of American fans with a first-round knockout victory.
The rising star made a statement with a last-second knockout of the Mexican from a left hook that made him unable to see the second round. This performance also warranted a $50,000 bonus from ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong for the Malaysian-American sensation.
Johan Ghazali defeated Josue Cruz via first-round knockout in their flyweight Muay Thai bout.