"It made me a better fighter" - Jonathan Di Bella sees positives in first career loss vs reigning two-sport king Prajanchai

After assessing the last few months, Jonathan Di Bella can confidently say that his first-ever career loss to Prajanchai made him a better fighter.

The former ONE strawweight kickboxing world champion has Prajanchai to thank for last Friday's victory at ONE Fight Night 26. The Italian-Canadian superstar put on a clinical performance from start to end, truly exposing Rui Botelho's weaknesses with technicality and precision. After three rounds of non-stop offense, Di Bella secured his second stab at Prajanchai's newly minted crown by way of a dominant decision.

Speaking at the post-event presser, Di Bella expressed fondness about how the experience of fighting Prajanchai in front of a hostile Thai crowd this past June mentally prepared him for this victory.

"And I fought him in front of all his people, his fans, and it was a crazy experience. I loved that experience, and I think it made me a better fighter."

Indeed, Jonathan Di Bella thrived in his latest performance against Portugal's Rui Botelho. He was sharp, fast, precise, and relentless. Di Bella outpaced his rival, giving him not a single point behind those 8oz boxing gloves. With nowhere else to go but up, Di Bella finds himself at a short distance again from reclaiming his strawweight kickboxing crown.

Watch the full replay of ONE Fight Night 26 on Prime Video in North America.

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"I like being champion" - Jonathan Di Bella is overwhelmingly confident about reclaiming his lost belt against Prajanchai.

Jonathan Di Bella is destined to be a world champion. The fact that he destroyed Rui Botelho to pieces is proof of how hungry he is to be the world's No. 1 kickboxer.

The persistence is obvious, not just in the words that he says but also in his actions. He told ONE:

"I just want to get the belt back, that's all. I want to be champion. I like being champion."