Former ONE Strawweight Kickboxing World Champion Jonathan Di Bella is laser-focused on reclaiming his throne, and he’s ready to take on all challengers. The Canadian-Italian fighter has his eyes on the toughest opponents in ONE Championship, including legends like Sam-A Gaiyanghadao, rising stars such as Zhang Peimian, and his immediate challenge, Rui Botelho.
Di Bella’s Fighting Spirit
In a recent interview with Combat Sports Today, Di Bella made it clear that he’s not interested in taking easy fights, emphasizing his desire to prove himself against the best:
“All the names you mentioned are all tough fights… But right now I got to focus on Rui [Botelho] and that’s it. After that, yeah, all those names that you mentioned, man.”
He further added:
“That’s why I signed up for the sport… I want to fight the high-level competition and be the best out of all of them.”
Upcoming Bout: Di Bella vs. Botelho
Di Bella will first need to overcome Rui Botelho in a pivotal three-round strawweight kickboxing bout at ONE Fight Night 26: Lee vs. Rasulov. This fight marks a critical step in Di Bella’s journey to reclaim the strawweight crown. A victory would position him for high-profile matchups against the division’s elite.
Event Details
- Fight Card: ONE Fight Night 26
- Date: Friday, December 6, 2024
- Venue: Lumpinee Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand
- Broadcast: Live in U.S. primetime on Amazon Prime Video
Potential Future Opponents
- Sam-A Gaiyanghadao: The legendary Muay Thai and kickboxing fighter remains a tough test for any opponent.
- Zhang Peimian: A young star known for his explosive striking and rapid rise through the ranks.
- Rui Botelho: A proven competitor, who will challenge Di Bella’s grit and determination at ONE Fight Night 26.
What’s at Stake?
For Di Bella, this fight isn’t just about adding another win to his record—it’s about reigniting his world title campaign. If successful, he could set up marquee matchups that would solidify his legacy in the sport.
Fans can catch the action live on Amazon Prime Video in the U.S. and Canada.
