bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

paywallTypes

createdDate

publishedDate

sponsorType

urlAlias

moreOnThisArticles

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

articleSpeeches

socialHeadline

headline

images

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

sponsor

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

Andrew Whitelaw

Johan Estupinan said everything is falling into place ahead of the biggest fight of his career at ONE Fight Night 32 in Bangkok.
The 22-year-old takes on Japan’s Taiki Naito in a flyweight Muay Thai bout on Saturday, with his sights firmly set on the world title.
Naito is ranked No 3 in ONE’s kickboxing division, but Estupinan remains unfazed.
“Everything is like they plan,” he told the Post. “This is aligned with the universe because it’s his sixth fight, on June 6, and he is 22.
“Now that he’s in the top five, this is where the real business starts.”


Estupinan – nicknamed ‘Panda Kick’ – is unbeaten in five fights since joining ONE Championship. His last outing was a decision win over fellow rising star Johan Ghazali.
The Malaysian-American teenager has since called for a rematch, and Estupinan is open to the idea.
“I’m ready for everybody, for anyone,” he said.
Estupinan’s confidence is shared by his coach JC Fernandez, who helps prepare both Johan and his twin brother Jordan, who recently signed with ONE with two wins from two.
“They are training very hard,” Fernandez said. “He helped his brother Jordan for his last fight one week ago. So, he’s ready every time.”
The journey for the Estupinan brothers has not been easy. Born and raised in Santiago de Cali, they were placed in an orphanage by their mother due to extreme poverty.
Johan was bullied there, and later revealed his father was abusive. But when their mother found a job and bring them back home, Johan discovered martial arts.
Now, the siblings are making waves on the global stage, carrying their unique brand of Colombian Muay Thai – something they call “Panda Flow.”
“It’s a Colombian style with happiness, with great kicks,” Estupinan said. “That’s why we call it Panda Kick – it’s a new creation.”

He said the nickname was also inspired by the film Kung Fu Panda.
“In the movie, nobody believes in the panda,” he added. “It’s the same – nobody believed Colombian fighters could beat Thais.”
Naito, meanwhile, has lost four of his last five fights, so Estupinan knows he needs to be at his best.
“He’s a low kicker, a hard low kicker,” he said. “I’m more crazy, I kick more.
“You will see a real Johan in the fight.”
The Colombian’s trainer is also refusing to rule out Estupinan challenging for the title in multiple disciplines.
“First, the focus is the Muay Thai belt,” Fernandez said. “Then he will go for the kickboxing.”
The flyweight Muay Thai belt is vacant and Estupinan has his eyes on Thai legends like Rodtang Jitmuangnon and Superlek Kiatmuu9, who hold the top two rankings.
“He knows he has to be No 1,” Fernandez said. “He focuses on that and that’s it.”


ONE Championship: Yod-IQ Pimolsri secures contract, eyes rematch with Abdulla Dayakaev

ONE Championship: Superbon insists his longevity, success are rooted in discipline over sacrifice

ONE Championship: Mohammad Siasarani finally gets coveted contract – now he wants the belt

ONE Championship: Liu Mengyang believes win over Tawanchai is ‘turning point of my career’

ONE Championship

ONE Championship: Estupinan eyes title bout in two different fields

Johan Estupinan is preparing to face Japan’s Taiki Naito in a flyweight Muay Thai bout at ONE Fight Night 32. Photo: ONE Championship

Johan Estupinan has his sights set on the Muay Thai and kickboxing titles. Photo: ONE Championship

ONE Championship: Nong-O open to fighting friends Superlek, Rodtang in title bid

Nong-O Gaiyanghadao is eyeing a fight with either Superlek Kiatmuu9 or Rodtang Jitmuangnon. Photo: ONE Championship

ONE Championship: newcomer Yoza already eyeing Haggerty battle ahead of debut

Yuki Yoza (left) with Takeru Segawa as he prepares for his ONE Championship debut. Photo: ONE Championship

ONE Championship: rising star Ghazali set for comeback in Bangkok at ONE Fight Night 32

Johan Ghazali is considered one of the hottest prospects in ONE Championship. Photo: ONE Championship

Johan Ghazali (left) will fight Diego Paez at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok at ONE Fight Night 32 Photo: ONE Championship

Abolfazl Alipourandi ends Liam Nolan’s ONE Championship return in just 59 seconds

Abolfazl Alipourandi celebrates knocking out Liam Nolan at ONE Fight Night 31. Photo: ONE Championship

Abolfazl Alipourandi connects with a brutal kick to Liam Nolan’s head at ONE Fight Night 31. Photo: ONE Championship

Sport

Martial Arts

The 22-year-old takes on Japan’s Taiki Naito in a flyweight Muay Thai bout on Saturday, with his sights firmly set on the world title


The 22-year-old takes on Japan’s Taiki Naito in a flyweight Muay Thai bout on Saturday, with his sights firmly set on the world title.


ONE Championship: Estupinan eyes title bout in two different fields

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}The 22-year-old takes on Japan’s Taiki Naito in a flyweight Muay Thai bout on Saturday, with his sights firmly set on the world title

The 22-year-old takes on Japan’s Taiki Naito in a flyweight Muay Thai bout on Saturday, with his sights firmly set on the world title