Jonathan Di Bella wins interim kickboxing title in Japan

Jonathan Di Bella, a kickboxer from Canada, won the One Championship interim strawweight title on Sunday. He defeated Thailand's Sam-A Gaiyanghadao by unanimous decision at One 172 in Saitama, Japan. Di Bella, 28, is originally from Montreal and showcased his speed and strong leg kicks during the match. After his victory, Di Bella set his sights on unifying the title. He will face Prajanchai PK Saenchai, who currently holds both the One kickboxing and Muay Thai championships. Di Bella invited Prajanchai to compete in Denver for the upcoming One 173 event. The fight against Sam-A was intense, with both fighters exchanging hard strikes. Di Bella often pushed Sam-A backward and targeted his legs with calf kicks. The match took a toll on both fighters, and Di Bella sustained a cut over his eye from a clash of heads. Di Bella previously won the vacant One strawweight title in 2022 and defended it once in 2023. However, he had to give up the title after falling ill before his scheduled defense in April 2024. He made weight for the fight but did not pass the hydration test, leading to a night in the hospital. In addition to Di Bella's achievement, former bantamweight MMA champion Bibiano Fernandes was inducted into the One Championship Hall of Fame during the event. The card featured several championship matches, with notable victories for fighters including Rodtang and Masaaki Noiri.