Vietnamese standout “No. 1” Nguyen Tran Duy Nhat aims to put an abrupt end to Johan “Jojo” Ghazali’s hype train at ONE 167: Tawanchai vs. Nattawut on Prime Video.

The pair are set to square off in an intriguing flyweight Muay Thai tilt on June 7 in U.S. primetime at the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand.

Nguyen Tran Duy Nhat hypes up Johan Ghazali

For Tran Duy Nhat, the fight represents the opportunity to take out perhaps the sport’s most promising rising star. At just 17 years old, the Malaysian-American phenom already boasts five wins in ONE Championship, including four highlight-reel finishes.

The 35-year-old veteran is quick to praise his teenaged foe, well aware of the prodigious athletic gifts and preternatural striking skill he will bring to the contest:

Top Stories

Forced to Leave FOX, Cowboys Legend Troy Aikman Says ESPN Is Like ‘U.S. Government’ & Clearly Distinguishes the Two Networks

Arrest For Shaquille O’Neal’s Stolen Range Rover Made But More Bad News Awaits

Who Is Paige Shiver? All About Michigan Football Staffer & Daughter of Veteran Bears Scout Jeff Shiver

Caitlin Clark, JuJu Watkins Announce Injury Update After Months of Battle

Lakers’ Gabe Vincent Dishes on LeBron James, Luka Doncic’s Sacrifices, Role on the Team and More (Exclusive)

Mike Tomlin Finds $180 Million Aaron Rodgers Replacement After QB’s Retirement Announcement: Steelers Insider

“Johan Ghazali is a young one that is absolutely on the rise. He is strong, fast, and athletic, probably a great combination from his Malay and Westerner parents. His knockout power is no joke, either. In comparison, I’m not as athletic as he is. A fight with him is not going to be easy. 

“Johan started training and fighting when he was just a boy, so even with the age difference, I won’t treat him like a young fighter with little experience.”

For his part, Tran Duy Nhat is no pushover. A five-time WMF Muay Thai Champion and 2021 SEA Games Gold Medalist, “No. 1” has seen and done it all in the sport of Muay Thai.

“No. 1” believes “Jojo” is like Rodtang Jitmuangnon

He knows that Ghazali has often been compared to long-reigning ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion Rodtang “The Iron Man” Jitmuangon and admits the similarities between the two knockout artists are clear:

“Yes, Johan’s style is quite similar to Rodtang. Both have nice striking skills, knockout power, the same aggressiveness, and a crazy ability to absorb damage. I can see why people are comparing them. 

“He is no doubt a talented fighter. I do believe one day, he will rise to the same height as Rodtang.”

Beyond the comparison to Rodtang, Tran Duy Nhat says that “Jojo” is similar to a younger version of himself.

He added, “Johan is brave, aggressive, and puts a lot of pressure on his opponents. It reminds me of how I had fought in my younger years as a fighter.”