'Jordan Boy' ecstatic to compete on home soil again

IF his previous outing at Kuala Lumpur’s Axiata Arena is anything to go by, then fans of Mohammed 'Jordan Boy' Mahmoud are set for another entertaining affair from their local hero.

On that balmy Friday night in December 2018, the ONE Championship athlete thrilled his countrymen by scoring a dynamic first-round knockout of Stergos 'Greek Dynamite' Mikkios in their ONE Super Series Muay Thai bantamweight showdown at ONE: DESTINY OF CHAMPIONS.

He will have the chance to bring the house down again come Friday, 12 July at ONE: MASTERS OF DESTINY, which emanates from the very same venue where he perfected his debut.

“I’m ecstatic to be able to return to home ground,” the 23-year-old admitted.

“I was initially given the Shanghai card, but I had to reject it as I was nursing an injury and needed a rest. I was sure that that would be the end of any invitation for a while.

“But then Baba (Mohammed’s father) received a message to say that I got onto the KL card. I was deliriously happy.”

Mohammed’s delight, however, was short-lived. His mood changed as soon as he heard the name of his opponent.

It was none other than Terengganu’s martial arts icon Saiful 'The Vampire' Merican, who is set to make his ONE Super Series Muay Thai debut.

“To be honest, when I heard that I’d be fighting a fellow Malaysian, Saiful, my heart sank," the Sampuri Muay Thai Gym representative emotionally said.

“I’d have preferred to go into the ring with anyone but a fellow Malaysian. But in the end, I accepted it. I’m just grateful to be given the chance to perform in front of my home crowd, where I’ll have my supporters, my family, my sponsors, and everyone else to cheer me on.”

Although he is on a losing streak, the Kedah-born Muay Thai practitioner is certain his fans will power him to a much-desired win in The Home Of Martial Arts.

“This will be the second time I’ll be fighting on home soil, and I don’t intend to disappoint those who’ve followed my journey so loyally,” he added.

“I know Saiful will not be an easy opponent to topple, and we’ll both be fired up by the home support, but I want to be the one who’s standing there at the final bell with my hand held up in victory.”