‘We’re Both Going To War’ – Jonathan Di Bella Expects Epic World Title Defense Against Danial Williams
Jonathan Di Bella foresees another wild battle when he returns to action at ONE Fight Night 15: Tawanchai vs. Superbon on Prime Video in U.S. primetime on Friday, October 6.
The undefeated Italian-Canadian will put his ONE Strawweight Kickboxing World Title on the line for the first time against Danial Williams, and he thinks the man known as “Mini T” is the perfect opponent to produce fireworks.
After defeating Zhang Peimian to win the crown in a memorable ONE debut last year, Di Bella plans on giving the global fan base another thriller at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
The 27-year-old said of his matchup with Williams:
“They offered me the fight, and I accepted it right away. He’s an exciting fighter. He’s one of the best in the division.
“Me and him are a match made well because we’re both going to be aggressive. We’re both going to war, and it’s going to be a really good fight.”
Former WMC Muay Thai World Champion Williams is an experienced veteran who’s faced the best of the best, including current ONE World Champions Superlek Kiatmoo9 and Rodtang Jitmuangnon.
The three-sport star most recently stepped in on just a few days’ notice to challenge Superlek for the ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Title, and although he came up short, he impressed Di Bella with his courage.
Given that “Mini T” was willing to square off with one of the greatest strikers in history at a higher weight class, he earned this shot at gold in his more natural division.
Di Bella said of the Australian-Thai athlete:
“I believe he deserves the shot because when he fought Superlek, he took it on short notice and went for the kickboxing title in a heavier division. He really saved the show last time. And he did well in the first few rounds.
“I have to look at all the other fights and see what he’s done on the winning end. At 135 pounds on a few days’ notice against one of the best legends in the world, it doesn’t really count.”
Di Bella Predicts ‘Nonstop Action’ In Bout With Williams
Along with fearlessness and self-belief, Jonathan Di Bella thinks Danial Williams will bring plenty of other world-class attributes to the ring on October 6.
Mental fortitude is an important element, but the divisional king is also impressed by “Mini T’s” physical and tactical prowess.
He explained:
“I see a lot of things [about him]. I believe he has a great straight right hand. He has a lot of good calf kicks and good low kicks. His aggressiveness, his toughness. He has a lot of things. I’m ready for all of them.”
Given Williams’ intense style and Di Bella’s own high-volume output, the Montreal native thinks an epic matchup is inevitable.
And while he’d love to solidify his position atop the strawweight kickboxing division with an emphatic stoppage, he knows Williams’ resilience will help him stay in the fight.
With that in mind, Di Bella is just focused on delivering a good performance and putting on a show for the crowd in Bangkok and those watching around the world.
He added:
“Knockouts come. You’ve just got to do your combinations and fight in the moment, and if it comes, it comes. If it doesn’t, it doesn’t. I’ve just got to be exciting and give a good show.
“The fans should be excited for nonstop action. It’s going to be a barnburner. It’s going to be a great, great fight. Not only technique – I think it’s going to be a bloody war.”
