Jonathan Di Bella thankful for rocky 2024 despite losing his world title: “I'm just most grateful”

Former ONE strawweight kickboxing world champion Jonathan Di Bella of Canada and Italy is full of gratitude heading into what is likely his final fight of the year, and he wants to close out 2024 strong.

Di Bella is getting ready to face one of his toughest opponents yet, Portugal's Rui Botelho. He's looking for a resounding victory to springboard back into world title contention.

The Canadian-Italian star lost the ONE strawweight kickboxing world title to Thai rival Prajanchai PK Saenchai last June, but he hopes to end the year with a bang.

That being said, Di Bella says he has much to be thankful for in 2024.

Speaking to Sportskeeda MMA in an exclusive interview, Di Bella listed out the people he is most grateful for in the year.

"I'm just most grateful for my family and my close friends supporting me. And my training partners. Yeah, my dad, my mom, my girlfriend, my whole family and team."

Despite losing his most precious golden belt, Di Bella is hopefully heading into the next year, and if he can score a victory over Rui Botelho next week, it would set up an epic 2025 for the Canadian-Italian star.

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Jonathan Di Bella and Rui Botelho do battle in pivotal strawweight clash at ONE Fight Night 26 on Prime Video

Canadian-Italian star Jonathan Di Bella will make his highly anticipated return to action against Portugal's Rui Botelho in a three-round strawweight kickboxing battle.

The two lock horns at ONE Fight Night 26: Lee vs. Rasulov on Prime Video, which broadcasts live in U.S. primetime on Friday, December 6 from the historic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

Fans in the United States and Canada can catch all the action live and absolutely free with an active Amazon Prime Video subscription.

Stay tuned to Sportskeeda MMA for all the latest news and updates surrounding the event.