Jonathan Di Bella could have left ONE 172 with the interim strawweight kickboxing world championship round his waist, however ONE CEO Chatri Sityodtong was removed from impressed along with his efficiency.
In one in every of 4 title clashes inside the enduring Saitama Tremendous Area, Di Bella went toe-to-toe with Thai legend Sam-A Gaiyanghadao, with the winner leaving as the brand new interim titleholder of the strawweight division and a assured date with undisputed champion Prajanchai. After 5 rounds of back-and-forth motion, Di Bella was declared the winner by way of unanimous resolution, placing 26 kilos of gold round his waist for the second time.
Nevertheless, Di Bella’s efficiency in opposition to a fighter 13 years his elder left so much to be desired.
Throughout Sunday’s ONE 172 post-fight press convention in Japan, Sityodtong was vital of Di Bella’s killer intuition, or lack thereof.
I really like Jonathan. Positively,” Sityodtong started. “He’s one of many best pound-for-pound strikers on the planet. However I’m at all times puzzled when he can’t end anyone. So that is my suggestions to him, please present me some finishes, you already know, after which he’s gonna be the largest star on this planet. I believe, sorry, you already know I really like you, you’re an unimaginable striker.
However I assumed he might have completed Sam-A within the second spherical, first or second spherical he might have completed it. If he had the killer intuition, he might have completed the struggle.
Sityodtong Confirms Jonathan Di Bella vs. Prajanchai rematch is subsequent
Di Bella improved his total document to 13-1 with 4 of these wins coming below the ONE Championship banner. As for what comes subsequent for the Canadian-Italian, Sityodtong confirmed {that a} unification conflict between Di Bella and Prajanchai could be subsequent.
“I would love to see Jonathan Di Bella versus Prajanchai, for sure,” he added. “I think that fight is the next fight. You know, it’s two of the world’s greatest strikers on the planet. I want to see it.”
Final yr, Di Bella got here up quick in opposition to Prajanchai at ONE Friday Fights 68. Since then, he’s scored back-to-back wins, besting Rui Botelho and Sam-A.
Prajanchai is at present on a six-fight win streak along with his newest victory coming in opposition to Ellis Badr Barboza at ONE Struggle Night time 28 in February. Prajanchai completed Barboza within the fourth spherical by way of knockout.
