“I earned some respect” - Diego Paez glad to deliver a statement in impressive win over phenom Johan Ghazali

Colombian-American striker Diego Paez didn't mind playing the role of a spoiler at ONE Fight Night 32. The 31-year-old veteran embraced his underdog status against 18-year-old fan-favorite Johan Ghazali last Friday, June 6, in their three-round flyweight Muay Thai showdown at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

Despite the odds stacked against him, Paez traded blow-for-blow with the aggressive teenage phenom and gave him a dose of his own medicine.

The Classic Fight Team affiliate emerged victorious in most of their heated exchanges, showcasing talent, grit and high fight IQ to take home the split decision win after the epic back-and-forth.

Speaking to the Bangkok Post's Nick Atkin after getting his first win in the home of martial arts, Paez said beating 'Jojo' should silence his critics.

"I know the organization loves him. He's a star boy, and they invested a lot in promoting him for this fight. But I hope I earned some respect."

Diego Paez continued:

"And, like I said, I just feel like I'm right where I need to be and fully confident in what the future holds in store for me."

The full replay of ONE Fight Night 32 is available on demand for Prime Video subscribers in North America

Diego Paez is an intriguing contender in the flyweight Muay Thai division

The 135-pound Muay Thai throne remains vacant at the moment, and there's no shortage of killers looking to take the crown. While Diego Paez needs to string more victories to put himself in the conversation, defeating a hyped opponent like Johan Ghazali is a good start.

Even in defeat, the Colombian-American displayed a ton of talent in his ONE debut against Sean Climaco. Let's see if Paez can use this momentum and make a run in the stacked flyweight Muay Thai division.

Watch the full interview: