Taiki Naito Calls For Jonathan Di Bella After Beating Kongthoranee
Taiki “Silent Sniper” Naito now has his sights set on Jonathan Di Bella. The Japanese striker believes his win over Kongthoranee Sor Sommai has earned him a title opportunity.
Naito edged Kongthoranee in their flyweight kickboxing rematch at ONE Fight Night 49 on Friday, November 6, at Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium. He scored a knockdown with a left hook in the third round to secure the decision.
The win extended the Bell Wood Fight Team veteran’s streak to four and improved his record to 40-14. It also reversed his loss to Kongthoranee under Muay Thai rules in October 2023.
Naito does not consider the result revenge. He sees their kickboxing rematch as an entirely new contest.
“When I lost to him, I knew he was a very good fighter. And the moment I won against him, I was very happy. Kickboxing is my rule set, Muay Thai is his rule set. So, I don’t see this as a revenge match. I see this more as our first match in kickboxing,” Naito said.
He used his punches to control the fight and checked Kongthoranee’s kicks. After the Thai landed a strong left hook in the second round, Naito knew he needed to respond.
The ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Title is currently vacant. Naito believes four straight wins make him a strong candidate to fight for it.
He wants that opportunity against reigning ONE Strawweight Kickboxing World Champion Di Bella. ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong has indicated that Di Bella is expected to defend his strawweight belt at ONE 174 in December.
Naito is willing to wait for that title defense. Next year, however, he hopes Di Bella will move up to fight him for flyweight gold.
A trilogy with Kongthoranee could come one day. For now, his focus is firmly on a title shot.
“Jonathan Di Bella, you are a wonderful champion and I know that you need to defend your belt. But if there are no opponents that can fight against you anymore [in strawweight], and if you want another belt, I’m ready to fight you [for the flyweight kickboxing World Title],” Naito said.
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