'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
2024 was a rough year for Jonathan Di Bella.
At the beginning of the year, the Canadian-Italian was undefeated and the ONE strawweight kickboxing worked champion. Today, he is neither. It all began in April when Di Bella failed to meet the hydration requirements for his scheduled title defense against Prajanchai PK Saenchai at ONE Friday Fights 58 due to falling ill. As a result, Di Bella was stripped of his 26 pounds of gold.
However, Di Bella was given the chance to redeem himself, challenging Prajanchai for the vacant title at ONE Friday Fights 68 in June.
Trending
Get the latest updates on One Championship Rankings at Sportskeeda and more
Despite a valiant effort, Di Bella came up short against the Thai, suffering the first loss of his career and seeing the strawweight kickboxing crown wrapped around another fighter's waist.
In an exclusive interview with Sportskeeda MMA, Di Bella expressed little regret in the way things played out and is focusing on making 2025 a banner year for his career.
"I have no regrets, you know," Di Bella said. "Everything happens for a reason, I believe. And yeah, I'm ready to give it all again, and ready to end the year off well, and start the year of 2025 great."
Jonathan Di Bella faces streaking standout Rui Botelho at ONE Fight Night 26
Jonathan Di Bella's climb back to the top of the strawweight kickboxing division begins on Friday, December 6 when he returns to the legendary Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok for a high-stakes scrap with Portuguese standout Rui Botelho.
Di Bella vs. Botelho will feature as part of a loaded ONE Fight Night 26 and could very well establish the next man to challenge Prajanchai for the ONE strawweight kickboxing world championship.
While Di Bella goes into the bout looking to bounce back from his first career defeat, Botelho will be seeking his third-straight win after scoring a pair of improbable wins over 'Fighting Rooster' Zhang Peimian and Thai prospect Thongpoon.
Fans in the United States and Canada can watch ONE Fight Night 26 live on Amazon Prime Video on Friday, December 6 in U.S. primetime.
