Jonathan Di Bella just reminded everyone exactly why he’s the undisputed king of ONE Strawweight Kickboxing, successfully defending his World Championship against “Fighting Rooster” Zhang Peimian in a unanimous decision stunner last Friday, July 17. The 29-year-old titleholder delivered a five-round classic inside Bangkok’s iconic Lumpinee Stadium, showcasing exactly what it means to be a champion. This wasn’t just another win; it was Di Bella silencing the doubters after a tightly contested first fight.
Di Bella’s Rematch Masterclass: No Luck Involved
This high-stakes rematch was a brutal firefight, pushing both warriors to their absolute physical limits across 15 breathtaking minutes. Di Bella, the Montreal slugger, walked into that ring with a point to prove. He told onefc.com that after their first close encounter four years ago, “everybody was saying he was lucky.” Well, he sure proved them wrong. Di Bella wasn’t just looking for a win; he wanted a show. “I knew he was gonna come out strong,” he said. “But I just stayed smart. However, I decided to go for a brawl to give the fans a show. I wanted to give fans an entertaining fight.” And man, did they deliver. Both men traded at a relentless pace from the opening bell, refusing to feel each other out. Zhang landed some explosive combinations, no doubt, but Di Bella’s elite composure and championship mettle were the difference, letting him find those cleaner, fight-altering counters when it mattered most. That’s what separates the good from the great.
The “Fighting Rooster” Buzzed, The Champ Wants More
The Italian-Canadian striking prodigy couldn’t even pinpoint just one moment where the fight turned, which tells you everything about the non-stop action. But a few exchanges really stood out. “I think it was the fifth round where I hurt him the most,” Di Bella recalled. “I dropped him, threw his mouthpiece out, and I saw his face change. But I feel like even around two or three, I feel like I hurt him. I buzzed him because he went into the ropes. I saw his face busted.” When a fighter says that, you know he was laying down some serious damage. Di Bella now commands a 2-0 lead in this fierce rivalry, which is just icing on the cake for the lifelong New York Knicks fan after watching his team capture their first NBA Championship in 53 years just over a month ago.
So what’s next for the now five-time ONE Strawweight Kickboxing World Champion? While a third dance with Zhang isn’t entirely off the table, Di Bella has bigger fish to fry. “For sure, we’d meet again in the future,” he explained. “But I beat him twice now, so I want new meat. I fought two rematches back-to-back. I want to fight some Japanese champions, and if I get an opportunity to go up in division, I’ll take it.” Talk about a challenge! He knows it’s risky, but that’s the champ’s mentality. “In this sport, you gotta take risks. If I get it, I won’t say no.” That’s the kind of attitude that keeps fans glued to the screen. Di Bella is ready to test himself against fresh, elite competition, and it sounds like he’s just getting started.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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