Fifteen months after a disputed decision, the Canadian-Italian star finds ‘killer instinct’ to outpoint Thailand’s pound-for-pound great and become undisputed strawweight kickboxing champion – and now wants his other belt
Fifteen months of frustration dissolved in a storm of gold confetti at Lumpinee Stadium.
Jonathan Di Bella fell to the canvas in the centre of the ring, the ONE Championship strawweight kickboxing belt clutched to his chest, tears in his eyes as announcer Dom Lau read out the unanimous decision.
His father and coach Angelo leapt into his arms. Commentator Mitch Chilson informed him he had earned his first US$50,000 performance bonus courtesy of Chatri Sityodtong – and the Di Bella family went wild.
‘It feels great, man,’ the 29-year-old told the Bangkok Post backstage. ‘Undisputed. It’s been 15 months. I had to fight two more times after that. I believe I never lost the first fight, and I just had to prove it a bit extra tonight. I’m happy Chatri realised that – thank you to ONE Championship and Chatri.’
The rematch had been brewing since June 2024, when Prajanchai PK Saenchai edged a disputed decision in Bangkok that left Di Bella’s camp seething. They felt the Thai had clinched and grabbed throughout, escaping punishment. This time referee Olivier Coste made sure it didn’t happen again, flashing a yellow card for repeated infractions – a move that cost Prajanchai a slice of his purse and, perhaps, his composure.
Visibly frustrated, the Thai star was outthought and outfought through the first three rounds. The fourth was his best, landing sharp counters, but all three judges saw it the same way: 49-46 for Di Bella.
‘I believe I won every round almost,’ Di Bella said. ‘The last two were closer, but I hurt him with the low kicks – he couldn’t walk after. I didn’t feel his shots much in the last round either. I caught him with a body shot early and saw his face change. I knew I had him.’
Even when tempers threatened to boil – after Prajanchai fired a couple of late shots following a clinch break – Di Bella stayed composed. ‘It’s in the heat of the moment,’ he shrugged. ‘I’m not going to complain. Olivier did a good job tonight. In the first fight things went unpunished, but he handled it well this time.’
The tension had simmered for more than a year. Di Bella had pleaded for an immediate rematch, but Prajanchai chose instead to defend his Muay Thai title in February 2025. While the Thai king returned to his preferred sport, Di Bella went to work: blasting Rui Botelho in December, then capturing the interim strawweight kickboxing crown in Tokyo at ONE 172 in March.
Prajanchai was cageside that night supporting teammate Tawanchai – and Di Bella called him out live on air. Still, nothing happened. When Prajanchai later stepped into the Lumpinee ring in June for a face-off with Aliff Sor Dechapan, Di Bella’s team felt snubbed. The Italian-Canadian’s patience was wearing thin.
Making matters worse, Prajanchai had echoed Chatri’s earlier critique that Di Bella lacked ‘killer instinct’ – words that stuck with him for months. ‘Killer instinct – we have it, baby,’ Di Bella laughed backstage after finally earning the bonus. ‘He’s hard to put away, but I’m happy to be one of the best strikers in the world.’
Before the fight, Chatri had said Prajanchai was set to defend his Muay Thai belt against Aliff at ONE 174 in December – a fight and event yet to be officially announced. But Prajanchai looked badly bruised after Saturday’s loss, posting photos of his swollen legs on social media the next day.
For all the bad blood, it ended in sportsmanship. Minutes after wrapping up with the Bangkok Post, Prajanchai – eyes red, voice cracking – approached Di Bella in the media room.
‘You’re very strong,’ he said softly, through a translator. ‘You’ve done a really good job. I’d like to congratulate you.’
Di Bella smiled, shook his hand. ‘You’re a legend. It was an honour to fight you – you’re one of the best. We’re both champions forever.’
They lifted the belt together for photos, then hugged, Di Bella ruffling Prajanchai’s hair as cameras clicked. Respect restored.
Later that night, Di Bella and his family celebrated Italian-style at Massilia restaurant in downtown Bangkok, finally at peace after a long road back.
If this was a message to doubters, it was loud and clear. ‘Every fight I’m getting better,’ he said. ‘My dad’s the master plan behind everything. I just had to catch him cleaner – last time it was a bit dirty, this time I caught him clean and it hurt him.’
He grinned when asked about what’s next. ‘I’m just getting started. I feel like I’m entering my prime now at 29. Maybe I’ll defend soon – I don’t want to wait another year and a half. Maybe a super fight at another weight. I’ve got Muay Thai skills nobody’s seen yet.’
Then came the challenge that made reporters sit up.
‘I’d like to fight Prajanchai again – but this time for his Muay Thai title,’ Di Bella said. ‘And in my part of the world. Let’s do it at Madison Square Garden. MSG, baby.’
After fifteen months of chasing justice, Jonathan Di Bella finally got his redemption – and the validation of a champion who refused to stay quiet.
‘I’m better at home,’ he admitted, still jet-lagged and bruised. ‘But everything happens for a reason. Tonight, we showed what we can do.’
From a disputed loss to undisputed gold, he found exactly what everyone had been asking for.