ONE Championship: Johan Estupinan says tough Colombia upbringing inspired all-action style
As an explosive style wins him a growing fan base in and beyond ONE Championship, the Muay Thai star explains where it comes from
Johan Estupinan has won two fights in two months and picked up US$100,000 worth of bonuses, but life has not always been like this.
After his win over Zakaria El Jamari at ONE Fight Night 25 last Saturday, the 22-year-old, rapidly becoming a fan favourite for his exciting and explosive style, told the Post why he fights with such urgency.
The Colombian explained that it stemmed from a difficult upbringing in Santiago de Cali.
“I’m fighting for happiness,” Estupinan said. “We had a very rough childhood and spent some time in an orphanage, so we know poverty and this is why we fight the way we fight.”
His twin brother Jhordan is also a Muay Thai fighter and, even if Johan’s achievements have exceeded his, they are very much a team and always travel to fights together.
Estupinan is amassing a growing following in Colombia and wants them to know his brother is equally worth watching.