Jonathan Di Bella Reflects On ONE World Title Win Over Prajanchai
The lone blemish on Jonathan Di Bella’s record haunted him for 16 months, but in Bangkok he proved that some losses become the foundation for future greatness rather than career-defining failures.
Di Bella reclaimed undisputed championship status at ONE Fight Night 36: Prajanchai vs. Di Bella II through systematic dismantling of Prajanchai PK Saenchai, the Thai pound-for-pound star who handed him that first professional defeat at ONE Friday Fights 68 in June 2024.
The newly crowned undisputed ONE Strawweight Kickboxing World Champion credits his corner’s game plan for unlocking success where confusion had reigned during their initial meeting. His team identified body attacks as the key to breaking Prajanchai’s rhythm, and Di Bella executed that strategy from the opening exchange.
“They told me to go to the body with punches, and I hurt him right away,” the 29-year-old Italian-Canadian said. “That’s when I saw his face change, and I just kept going and fighting the whole five rounds.”
Di Bella remembers landing a devastating hook sometime during the championship rounds that sent Prajanchai stumbling backward. That moment confirmed what his corner already knew — their fighter was winning the rematch through superior accuracy and timing rather than hoping judges would see things his way.
The unified champion watched Prajanchai absorb punishment throughout their second war, knowing this time the scorecards would reflect his dominance. When officials read the unanimous decision in his favor, emotions finally surfaced after five rounds of controlled aggression that earned him both the belt and a $50,000 performance bonus from Chairman Chatri Sityodtong.
Despite unified gold sitting around his waist, Di Bella rates his performance somewhere between 7.5 and 8 out of 10. Perfection remains impossible in his sport, but constant improvement defines championship mentality.
His immediate future includes defending the kickboxing title against all challengers, though a trilogy with Prajanchai under Muay Thai rules would complete their rivalry across both disciplines. Beyond that, Di Bella eyes super-fights at 135 pounds against the sport’s biggest names.
“It’s an honor to put your name with the highest pound-for-pound fighters,” he said. “I’m interested in that, 100 percent.”
READ MORE: ONE Championship Announces Full Card For ONE Friday Fights 128
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