KUALA LUMPUR — Former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov has extended an invitation to national muay thai sensation Johan ‘Jojo’ Ghazali Zulfikar, offering him a rare chance to train at his renowned camp in Dagestan.
The invitation provides the young fighter with an invaluable opportunity to refine his skills alongside some of the world’s best.
Impressed by the talent of the Sarawak-born prodigy, Khabib praised Johan’s abilities and voiced his support for the fighter’s ambition to transition from muay thai to mixed martial arts (MMA).
“I know he is young and a very good striker. I wish him all the best. He told me he wanted to move to MMA after finishing his current sport.
“If he wants to do MMA, he is always welcome to train with us in Dagestan to improve his wrestling,” Khabib told the media at a press conference here today.
Commenting on Malaysia’s combat sports scene, the UFC Hall of Famer acknowledged the country’s potential, noting that several Malaysian fighters have what it takes to compete on the world stage.
However, Khabib emphasised the need for a stronger foundation in Malaysia’s MMA ecosystem, which he said must include experienced coaches and a structured training system, much like the one that has driven Dagestan’s success.
“I keep track of MMA worldwide and I’m aware of the good strikers and muay thai fighters you have here. But Malaysia needs more qualified coaches and a solid framework to cultivate top MMA talent.
“In Dagestan, we have a great system with highly skilled coaches, and we’ve produced champions across various combat sports. To develop top-tier fighters, you need to build a strong system with both good fighters and excellent coaches,” he added. — September 29, 2024