Jonathan Di Bella on Zhang Peimian Rematch: 'The First One Was Fire and This One Will Be Fire as Well'
Reigning ONE Strawweight Kickboxing World Champion Jonathan Di Bella is not reading from the same page as anyone who expected him to lose the first fight.
The 29-year-old Italian-Canadian kingpin will defend his crown against Chinese challenger Zhang Peimian in the main event of The Inner Circle 22 on Friday, July 17, broadcasting via live.onefc.com from Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
This tilt serves as a long-awaited rematch.
Their first encounter in October 2022 produced one of the most dramatic title fights in ONE Championship strawweight history. Zhang entered the match as the heavy favorite, billed as the next big thing in the division, before Di Bella landed a late knockdown in the fifth round to swing the verdict his way and claim the belt in his promotional debut.
Nearly four years on, Di Bella carries a 15-1 career record and a 5-1 ONE mark built on five World Title fights since that night. Zhang, now 22 and significantly more experienced, is coming for what he believes belongs to him.
Di Bella Warns the Rematch Will Be Explosive
Di Bella has a very clear memory of how the narrative around the first fight was constructed, and he has taken some satisfaction from how it ended.
The Italian-Canadian southpaw has not softened his view of the hype that surrounded his opponent four years ago or what his victory meant in the context of it.
"Everybody was making a big deal about him. There was so much hype around him. He was the favorite to win. He was the next big thing. But then, he ran into me. The first one was fire, and this one will be fire as well," Di Bella said.
The late fifth-round knockdown that decided their first meeting came in a fight Zhang was competitive in for much of its duration.
The Champion Acknowledges a More Mature Zhang
The strawweight kingpin has not underestimated what four years of development have done for his challenger.
Di Bella recognizes a changed opponent is coming on July 17 and has framed the rematch as a reset that will test both kickboxers differently from their first encounter.
"Now, he wants revenge. That's what I'm thinking. He is older now and more mature, so for sure, it's going to be a different fight. It may be the same war, but it's going to be a different mindset for both of us," he explained.
Zhang's six ONE victories and 20-5 career record paint the picture of a striker who has grown and remains one of the division's most dangerous challengers.
Di Bella Credits Experience and Physical Growth for Newfound Success
The most telling part of Di Bella's rematch preparation is the transformation he has undergone since their first fight. The Italian-Canadian has not simply accumulated experience. He has physically rebuilt himself into a stronger, more complete champion.
"Since that fight, first of all, my nutrition. Back then, I was walking around at 125 . Now, I'm a bit bigger and stronger, and I have the experience. I've fought World Champions. I've had World Title fights since then. I feel like the experience helped," he said.
The physical and experiential growth he described heading into the rematch suggests the version of Jonathan Di Bella walking into The Inner Circle 22 is the most complete the division has faced, and Zhang will need to have made equally significant strides to claim the title on July 17.
Watch The Inner Circle 22 exclusively on live.onefc.com beginning at 7:30 a.m. ET/4:30 a.m. PT.
