Jonathan Di Bella To Defend Strawweight Kickboxing World Title Against Zhang Peimian At The Inner Circle 22

Reigning ONE Strawweight Kickboxing World Champion Jonathan Di Bella will return to defend his gold against the man he defeated for his first ONE World Title – and the rematch has been a long time coming.

The Italian-Canadian ace will put his belt on the line against China’s “Fighting Rooster” Zhang Peimian at The Inner Circle 22 on Friday, July 17.

That event will stream exclusively on live.onefc.com from the iconic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

Di Bella brings his undisputed 26 pounds of gold, an impressive 15-1 career record, and a solid 5-1 promotional mark into this World Title defense.

The 29-year-old southpaw from Montreal has established himself as one of kickboxing’s most accomplished stars. Known for lightning-fast striking, an exceptional fight IQ, and some of the slickest boxing in the division, Di Bella entered the world’s largest martial arts organization with a perfect 10-0 professional record.

In October 2022, he faced Zhang for the vacant ONE Strawweight Kickboxing World Title in his memorable promotional debut. Di Bella outclassed the young prodigy across five rounds of action to claim the belt via unanimous decision.

Di Bella successfully defended his belt in 2023 against Thai-Australian star “Mini T” Danial Williams, proving his ability to defeat elite opposition and maintain dominance. However, 2024 brought adversity that tested his character.

A day before he was scheduled to defend the crown against ONE Strawweight Muay Thai World Champion Prajanchai PongSuphan PK in April 2024, the Montreal native failed his hydration test. As a result, he was stripped of the title and the match was ultimately postponed.

When Di Bella and Prajanchai finally met in June 2024 for the vacant belt, the Thai striker edged out his opposite number to secure the throne and become a two-sport king. The Italian-Canadian suffered his first career loss, a harsh reality check that could have derailed his World Championship aspirations. Instead, the resilient kickboxer bounced back immediately.

Di Bella claimed a decisive victory over Rui Botelho, which positioned him for a crack against his combat sports hero, the legendary Sam-A Gaiyanghadao, for the ONE Interim Strawweight Kickboxing World Title.

At ONE 172 in March 2025, the Montreal dynamo ripped through the Thai icon to secure a hard-fought victory. That performance also earned him the interim crown and a rematch against his arch-rival Prajanchai.

In October 2025, Di Bella and Prajanchai met to unify the strawweight kickboxing belts, but this rematch turned out completely different from their razor-close first encounter. The Italian-Canadian crushed his Thai adversary to win via unanimous decision and become the undisputed ONE Strawweight Kickboxing World Champion.

Now, Di Bella will defend the undisputed ONE Strawweight Kickboxing World Title against the man he made his successful promotional debut against nearly four years earlier.

Zhang, who represents Shengli Fight Club, enters the tilt with a 20-5 career record and six ONE Championship victories. The “Fighting Rooster” carries remarkable potential and a proven world-class resume despite his youth.

Known for his devastating left hook and solid counter-striking, the 22-year-old is a high-volume puncher who attacks relentlessly. He launched his promotional campaign with two solid victories, establishing early promise. However, his career since has experienced ups and downs – a rollercoaster journey that’s tested his resilience and character.

Zhang, however, has rediscovered his rhythm. Currently riding a two-bout winning streak featuring victories over Thongpoon PK Saenchai and “El Jefe” Ellis Badr Barboza, the young Chinese striker has recaptured the form that made him competitive enough to challenge for the division’s inaugural belt in October 2022.

This rematch carries profound significance. When these warriors first met, Zhang was a teenage phenom challenging an undefeated superstar. Four years later, both fighters have evolved tremendously.

Now, a few questions remain. Will Di Bella’s technical brilliance and experience prove too much? Or will Zhang’s growth, devastating left hook, and current momentum provide the improvements necessary to dethrone the ONE Strawweight Kickboxing World Champion?

Stay tuned to onefc.com for more news about The Inner Circle 22 on July 17.