Di Bella Defends Strawweight Crown at The Inner Circle 22

Hard‑Fought Rematch at Lumpinee Stadium

Italian‑Canadian striker Jonathan Di Bella earned a unanimous decision win over “Fighting Rooster” Zhang Peimian on Friday, July 17, inside Bangkok’s iconic Lumpinee Stadium. The bout capped the subscriber‑only Asia primetime card of The Inner Circle 22 and lasted five rounds of relentless exchange. Di Bella’s victory marks his second consecutive triumph over Zhang, establishing a 2‑0 edge in their rivalry.

Both fighters traded blows at a blistering pace, refusing to preview each other before unleashing heavy hands. Zhang displayed explosive combinations, but Di Bella’s cooler head and championship experience delivered the decisive counters when it mattered. The showdown pushed both warriors to their absolute physical limits across 15 minutes of continuous action.

In a post‑fight interview, Di Bella confirmed the rematch’s significance. He said the earlier contest was close and that many had called Zhang lucky, a notion he set out to disprove. “I wanted to give fans an entertaining fight,” he added, noting the decision felt good after a tightly contested battle.

Fifth Round Turns the Tide

Di Bella later reflected on the moment the fight swung in his favor. He highlighted the fifth round as the turning point, recalling a clean strike that sent Zhang to the canvas and sent his mouthpiece flying. “I saw his face change,” Di Bella recalled, emphasizing the impact of that exchange.

He also mentioned feeling he had rattled Zhang in the earlier rounds, noting the opponent’s face swelled early on. Despite the confidence boost, the champion kept his assessment modest, acknowledging Zhang’s relentless will to fight despite being hurt.

The victory also came on the heels of a personal celebration—the New York Knicks clinched their first NBA title in 53 years just weeks before the fight, providing extra motivation for the lifelong fan.

On the Path to Two‑Division Supremacy

Now a five‑time ONE Strawweight Kickboxing World Champion, Di Bella is already eyeing new challenges. He expressed interest in testing himself against Japan’s elite, noting the recent influx of decorated talent under ONE’s banner. “I want to give fans the best show,” he said, pointing to big stadiums and fierce matchups in Japan.

Should opportunities arise, Di Bella is prepared to move up a weight class, targeting the ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion “The Kicking Machine” Superlek. He made it clear he wants the champion, not just a title shot after climbing rankings. “Superlek is the kicking machine, so I’ll have to be ready for his kicks,” he added, emphasizing the risk and reward of a cross‑division challenge.

His mindset is forward‑looking: after two back‑to‑back rematches, the 29‑year‑old seeks fresh opponents and is willing to take calculated risks. He sees the sport’s evolving landscape as a chance to prove ONE athletes stand above the rest, both in strawweight and beyond.