Canadian-Italian slugger Jonathan Di Bella had an eventful campaign in the Circle last year, and the world’s largest martial arts organization awarded him the 2025 ONE Championship Kickboxer of the Year award.
The ONE strawweight kickboxing world champion successfully completed two of his missions on the world stage last year to secure his place atop the throne.
2024 saw him suffer his first career loss to Prajanchai PK Saenchai at ONE Friday Fights 68. However, he brought some positive momentum to the year after dominating Portuguese bruiser Rui Botelho via unanimous decision in December of the same year.
In his first fight of 2025, the Team Di Bella Kickboxing fighter took on the legendary Sam-A Gaiyanghadao at ONE 172 in Saitama, Japan.
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Many expected Sam-A, the organization’s first two-division, two-sport world champion, to overtake the Canadian-Italian inside the Saitama Super Arena.
However, Jonathan Di Bella put on a masterclass to upset the 42-year-old Thai on his way to winning the ONE interim strawweight kickboxing world title.
His triumph booked him a chance at a world title unification battle and a rematch against Prajanchai. Their five-round war was scheduled for ONE Fight Night 36 in October last year.
There, the Montreal native pointed out the king of the division and reminded everyone why his first loss to Prajanchai, a fight he believes he did enough to achieve victory, was just an obstacle on his path to greatness.
A pair of striking clinics. Two victories. And now the undisputed king of the division. 2025 couldn’t have gone better for Jonathan Di Bella, and he deservedly won the organization’s Kickboxer of the Year award thanks to a remarkable campaign on the world stage.
Jonathan Di Bella eyes transition to Muay Thai in 2026
With 26 pounds of gold around his waist, Jonathan Di Bella has a bigger target on his back.
Of course, Sam-A, Zhang Peimian and Prajanchai will be eager to test him and find out how he performs as a division king. But the Canadian-Italian slugger has hinted he would like to temporarily change disciplines in pursuit of glory in two sports in ONE.
“I’m interested in Muay Thai. I really want to do it. In fact, I want to do it right away. If they’re willing,” Jonathan Di Bella, 29, told the promotion.
Edit, Saiid Adameer Karim
