KUALA LUMPUR: Teenage Muay Thai prodigy Johan Ghazali Zulfikar was left star-struck after meeting UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov at an event on Sunday.
The following day, Johan, also known as Jojo, received valuable tips from the MMA great during a training session.
Jojo, who has secured six wins from seven bouts, including five knockouts in One Championship, described Khabib, affectionately known as "The Eagle", as extraordinary, with an aura that leaves a lasting impact on everyone he meets.
The 17-year-old Johan shared that while his training session with Khabib was brief, it was a thrilling experience. Despite their differing combat disciplines and fighting styles, Jojo believes Khabib's techniques will help him refine his strategies.
"Training with the GOAT (Greatest of All Time). Positive (+) 99999 aura," Jojo wrote on social media.
Khabib even extended an invitation for Jojo to train with him in Dagestan, Russia.
"I always welcome him if he wants to train with me in Dagestan, at our training centre," said Khabib, who now coaches lightweight champion Islam Makhachev.
Khabib, 36, holds an undefeated UFC lightweight record of 29-0 and retired in 2021 before being inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2022.
The Dagestan-born fighter was in Malaysia for the 'Khabib Nurmagomedov Live in Malaysia 2024' event.