WATCH: Johan Ghazali’s devastating liver shot of Temirlan Bekmurzaev earns him six-figure contract
Ahead of his highly anticipated return to the Circle, ONE Championship is looking back on the moment Johan Ghazali went from prospect to budding superstar.
On Friday, September 6, 'Jojo' will head to Ball Arena in The Mile High City for ONE 168: Denver, headlined by a massive Muay Thai clash between two-sport king Jonathan Haggerty and 'The Kicking Machine' Superlek. But first, fight fans will be treated to a scrap between Ghazali and Mexican slugger Josue Cruz.
Before competing in The Centennial State, ONE is venturing back to ONE Friday Fights 36 when Johan Ghazali bagged himself a six-figure contract via a spectacular second-round knockout of Temirlan Bekmurzaev.
"Relive the epic moment when Malaysian-American prodigy Johan Ghazali became the youngest athlete to earn a six-figure contract with ONE Championship after his stunning knockout of Russian striker Temirlan Bekmurzaev at ONE Friday Fights 36!"
For the first time in his ONE run, 'Jojo' will be looking to bounce back from a loss after coming up short against Vietnamese standout Nguyen Tran Duy Nhat at ONE 167 in Bangkok.
Josue Cruz is determined to get his hand raised against Johan Ghazali in Denver
Standing in Ghazali's way of a return to the win column will be Josue Cruz, a dangerous striker who is determined to snag his first win on martial arts' biggest global stage.
After going 17-0 on the regional scene, Cruz has seen some struggles inside the Circle, suffering back-to-back knockouts against Walter Goncalves and Sean Climaco, though those losses came nearly two years apart.
Ready to return with renewed vigor, Cruz is ready to finally break through and see his hand raised in the United States. He told ONE Championship:
“My greatest motivation has always been my dad. He was always a great example for me. I always watched him work and noticed how he never stopped providing for our family. I think he’s the best example that I could’ve ever gotten as a young kid."
He added:
“In me, he instilled a ‘never quit’ mentality. The idea to never give up, to always fight and always accomplishing your goals through sacrifice has helped me the most when fighting and being able to accomplish all the goals I’ve set."
Will Jose Cruz finally break into the winner's circle at ONE 168: Denver, or will the 17-year-old phenom continue his meteoric rise up the flyweight Muay Thai division?
Follow this link for tickets for ONE 168: Denver on September 6 at Ball Arena.