‘I’m Going To Be Even Meaner’ – Jonathan Di Bella Promises Fire In World Title Rematch With Zhang Peimian
· Yahoo Sports
Jonathan Di Bella knows “Fighting Rooster” Zhang Peimian is not the same striker he defeated nearly four years ago.
The reigning ONE Strawweight Kickboxing World Champion expects the Chinese challenger to be sharper and fueled by revenge when they run back their unforgettable five-round battle in the main event of The Inner Circle 22.
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But Di Bella believes the same thing will apply to him when he steps into the ring for the blockbuster rematch, which streams live from Bangkok’s iconic Lumpinee Stadium via live.onefc.com on Friday, July 17.
The 29-year-old kingpin said:
“It’s an exciting fight. Zhang is an exciting fighter, and it’s an exciting fight for the fans. The first one was fire, and this one will be fire as well.”
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Their first encounter at ONE 162 in October 2022 produced one of the most dramatic Kickboxing World Title fights in ONE Championship history.
Zhang entered the contest as a 19-year-old phenom with tremendous momentum behind him. Meanwhile, Di Bella was returning to action following three years away from competition. Even then, the Italian-Canadian star found a way to win.
Di Bella remembers “Fighting Rooster” as the division’s next big thing, a young striker who had won Road To ONE: China tournament, demolished his early opponents, and carried the aura of a future superstar.
He said:
“When I fought him, I believe he just turned 19, and I just turned 26. For sure, when I first signed with ONE, he was a kid who was destroying everybody. He won Road To ONE: China and destroyed the two guys he fought before me.
“Everybody was making a big deal about him. There was so much hype around him. He was the favorite to win. He was the next big thing. But then, he ran into me.”
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That history gives the rematch its emotional charge.
Di Bella expects Zhang to enter the ONE Strawweight Kickboxing World Title contest with redemption in his sights, but he also expects a different version of himself to be standing there, too.
In his view, the sequel could still deliver the same kind of action, but with both athletes carrying different mentalities into the ring.
He said:
“Now, he wants revenge. That’s what I’m thinking. All I’m even thinking about is him wanting to get revenge, and I think he will show up 100 percent.
“He is older now and more mature, so for sure, it’s going to be a different fight. It may be the same war, but it’s going to be a different mindset for both of us.”
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Di Bella Says He Is Stronger, Meaner, And More Experienced
For all the focus on Zhang Peimian’s growth, Jonathan Di Bella believes one important detail has been overlooked.
The version who beat Zhang in 2022 was not operating at his sharpest.
Before that battle for the then-vacant ONE Strawweight Kickboxing World Championship, Di Bella had not competed for roughly three years. The COVID-19 pandemic had disrupted his career, briefly pushed him toward retirement, and left him without the rhythm he normally relies on.
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Since then, Di Bella has built a much deeper resume.
The Italian-Canadian striker has shared the ring with elite names, competed in multiple World Title fights, and reclaimed the ONE Strawweight Kickboxing World Title from Thai archrival Prajanchai PongSuphan PK.
In addition, his body has changed. The 29-year-old has added more muscle to his frame while still maintaining his world-renowned speed.
Di Bella explained:
“Since that fight, first of all, my nutrition. Back then, I was walking around at 125 [pounds]. Now, I’m a bit bigger and stronger, and I have the experience.
“I’ve fought World Champions. I’ve had [five] World Title fights since then. I feel like the experience helped.”
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That experience has brought out a sharper edge.
Di Bella believes fans saw that edge in his recent battles with Sam-A Gaiyanghadao at ONE 172 in March 2025, where he captured the interim belt, and Prajanchai at ONE Fight Night 36 last October, where he unified the gold and achieved undisputed status.
In those exhilarating encounters, he attacked with more spite, heavier body work, and a visible mean streak. Now that the belt is back around his waist, he does not plan to soften his approach.
He said:
“I have always had that mean streak in me, but this time, I have an extra fire in me because I really wanted that belt back, and now that I got it, I have to keep the same mean streak going. It’s a different time, and I’m going to be even meaner this time.”
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Beyond Zhang, Di Bella still has bigger ambitions.
He wants a future matchup with ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion “The Kicking Machine” Superlek, and the chance to become a two-division king remains firmly on his radar.
But before he can explore that even further, the Italian-Canadian strawweight king must first defeat Zhang and handle his business on July 17 at The Inner Circle 22.
Di Bella concluded:
“Being a two-division champ would be great, but it’s a legendary fight. Superlek is a big name in a super-fight, and in this sport, to make your name bigger, you got to fight big names.
“But for the record, I’m only focusing on Zhang now. Without Zhang, there is no super-fight.”
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