🆕 Jonathan Di Bella says his “villain” is finally coming back for revenge.
The Italian-Canadian will defend his ONE Championship strawweight kickboxing title against Zhang Peimian in a bad-blood rematch at The Inner Circle 22 on July 17 at Lumpinee Stadium.
Di Bella beat Zhang on his ONE debut in Kuala Lumpur in October 2022 to claim the vacant belt, with a fifth-round head kick knockdown helping seal a unanimous decision.
He has since become a two-time champion, with major victories over Thai legends Prajanchai PK Saenchai and Sam-A Gaiyanghadao.
Zhang’s road back has been less straightforward. The Chinese contender has gone 4-3 since that first Di Bella defeat, including two split decision losses to Rui Botelho, but never stopped pushing for the rematch he had demanded since 2022.
Back-to-back wins over Thongpoon PK Saenchai and Ellis Barboza have now put Zhang back in title contention – and finally earned him his second shot at gold.
“Let’s run it back,” Di Bella told the Bangkok Post.
“I feel like I’m the superhero, and now my villain is coming back for revenge.”
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