Jonathan Di Bella shocks Zhang Peimian to win by unanimous decision, crowned new champ

On Friday, ONE Championship kicked off its weekend of back-to-back events with ONE 162, headlined by a battle between Zhang Peimian and Jonathan Di Bella to crown a new ONE strawweight kickboxing world champion.

Entering the bout with an undefeated record inside the Circle, Peimian looked to make history by becoming China’s youngest world champion at just 19 years old. Standing in his way was Canadian-Italian debutant Di Bella, who entered the bout undefeated in his combat sports career.

Coming out for the opening round, both men got to work right away. Zhang worked the leg of Jonathan Di Bella early on. Di Bella returned fire with a solid jab but ate multiple low kicks from the feisty Chinese striker. Zhang's speed was on display early. However, Di Bella put pressure on Zhang and forced him back to the Circle wall, which he fought out of, bringing the opening round to a close.

In the second round, Jonathan Di Bella landed another jab early, but Zhang returned fire with a leg kick followed by a right hand. Di Bella threw back-to-back body kicks with the latter landing as Zhang continued to target Di Bella's leg, which was already showing redness and swelling. Di Bella landed clean on a nice right cross, and while Zhang attempted to respond, he was unable to land as the second round ended.

Zhang came out for the third with a sense of urgency, immediately throwing a series of kicks. As Zhang continued working the leg, Di Bella landed the jab at will. The pair threw haymakers at each other throughout the round. As the third-round bell rang, both fighters began to show signs of fatigue.

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Zhang Peimian and Jonathan Di Bella head to the championship rounds at ONE 162

Going into the championship rounds, Zhang fired off two quick leg kicks. Jonathan Di Bella fired back with his own leg kick and ate two more for his troubles. Di Bella threw a high kick that missed, and Zhang returned fire with a solid body kick followed by a right hand that partially landed. Di Bella attempted to keep up the pressure, but Zhang looked like the fresher fighter, landing leg kicks at will with his speed. Di Bella landed a stiff left followed by a right as the fourth round closed.

Heading into the fifth and final round, both fighters went blow-for-blow as both knew that the fight was as tight as it could be. Four straight leg kicks from Zhang encouraged Di Bella to move in and close the distance. Zhang threw another leg kick and absorbed a right hand followed by a perfectly placed head kick from Di Bella that hit the target and dropped him for the first knockdown of the fight. Zhang barely answered the referee’s count and Di Bella swarmed in, looking for a fifth-round finish. However, Zhang was able to survive the round, leaving the decision to the judges’ scorecards.

Official Result: Jonathan Di Bella via unanimous decision to capture the ONE strawweight kickboxing world championship.

Following the victory, Di Bella spoke to Mitch Chilson to celebrate his world title win:

“I’m not surprised! I’m not surprised baby, it’s all hard work. Me and my dad, we’ve been through it all especially in this camp, we’ve been through a crazy car accident, we’ve been through all over crazy things and we still made it out here.”