The stage is set, and all eyes are on Jonathan Di Bella as he gears up to reignite his journey back to championship glory at ONE Fight Night 26 on Friday, December 6. The Italian-Canadian superstar is poised to face Rui Botelho in a high-stakes bout that could catapult him closer to reclaiming his throne as the ONE Strawweight Kickboxing World Champion.
From Champion to Challenger: Di Bella’s Burning Desire
Di Bella, who lost his title in a razor-thin decision against Prajanchai PK Saenchai at ONE Friday Fights 68, isn’t dwelling on the past. Instead, his focus has crystalized into one unwavering mission: to reclaim the gold.
“My goal is to get my belt back – for sure, 100 percent,” Di Bella declared with fierce determination. “That’s my main goal.”
For Di Bella, excuses are out the window. The loss, though heartbreaking, has only fueled his fire to regain what he once proudly held. “I just want to get the belt back. I love being champion, and yeah, I just want to be champion again.”
The Ultimate Test: Rui Botelho Stands in His Way
Before Di Bella can even think about another title shot, he must conquer a formidable foe in Rui Botelho. The Portuguese striker has made a name for himself as a giant-slayer, pulling off shocking victories against Zhang Peimian and Thongpoon PK Saenchai. With his unorthodox style and explosive offense, Botelho is anything but an easy opponent.
“[Botelho is a] very unorthodox fighter. I think he has a lot of power, a lot of speed, a lot of timing. He’s very tricky,” Di Bella admitted. “But I’ll adapt. Whatever I have to do to win, I’ll do.”
Knockout or Decision? Di Bella’s Strategy Unveiled
While every striker dreams of landing the perfect knockout, Di Bella’s mindset for December 6 is simple:
victory at any cost. “I believe I gotta get a win. Don’t look for any knockouts. Just go out there and perform, focus on Rui,” he said.
The former champ is prepared to go the distance if necessary, adapting to whatever style Botelho brings to the table. “Maybe win by decision, win by knockout… I just play to win.”
The Countdown to Redemption
As the clock ticks down to ONE Fight Night 26, fans worldwide are buzzing with anticipation. Will Di Bella overcome the dangerous Botelho and take a giant leap toward reclaiming his title? Or will Botelho cement his reputation as the division’s ultimate disruptor?
Tune in live and free on Prime Video at 8 p.m. EST/5 p.m. PST on Friday, December 6, to witness Jonathan Di Bella’s thrilling quest for redemption. Don’t blink—history could be made in an instant!