Zhang Peimian says he’s ready for world title rematch with Jonathan Di Bella

Chinese kickboxing star Zhang Peimian is down for another world title shot whenever ONE Championship offers him the opportunity.

The 'Fighting Rooster' made this known following his impressive unanimous decision victory over Russian Torepchi Dongak in their strawweight kickboxing clash at ONE Fight Night 8 on Prime Video on March 24 in Singapore.

Zhang Peimian is aching to get back at Jonathan Di Bella of Canada, who defeated him for the vacant ONE strawweight kickboxing world title last October.

Speaking to SCMP MMA following his recent fight, the 19-year-old Shengli Fight Club affiliate said:

“I’m ready anytime. Whenever ONE Championship puts [Jonathan] Di Bella in front of me, I’m ready. Last year, I lost the fight, but this year I am confident that I can win.”

Watch the interview below:

Zhang Peimian engaged Di Bella in a thorough back-and-forth in their title showdown. However, the Canadian champion scored some telling blows in the fifth and final round, including a perfectly placed head kick that instantly sent the 'Fighting Rooster' to the mat. It proved to be a turning point in fortifying the judges’ scores in his favor.

Since the defeat, Zhang has been determined to chart another path back to title contention, which garnered momentum with his dominant victory over Dongak that also won him a $50,000 performance bonus from ONE Championship CEO Chatri Sityodtong.

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Zhang Peimian hopes to become China’s youngest world champion

Zhang Peimian of China is looking to build on his recent victory to jump-start another run for title contention in ONE Championship.

The 19-year-old star dominated Russia’s Torepchi Dongak by unanimous decision in their featured strawweight kickboxing encounter at ONE Fight Night 8 on Prime Video on March 24 in Singapore.

Zhang was a handful for ONE Championship-debuting Dongak for the duration of their matchup, pummeling the latter with wicked punching combinations, significant leg kicks, and knees.

Dongak had his moments but nothing too significant that Zhang could not handle. When the battle smoke cleared, the 'Fighting Rooster' was fittingly rewarded with a unanimous decision win while earning a $50,000 performance bonus from ONE Championship CEO Chatri Sityodtong.

Following his victory, Zhang Peimian said now more than ever, he is determined to make another run at the ONE strawweight kickboxing world title after losing in the battle for it last October against Canada’s Jonathan Di Bella.

His push, he said, is in line with his twin goals of becoming his country’s youngest world champion and spotlighting China’s kickboxing scene:

“If I got the belt, it would be the first ONE kickboxing belt for China. So I will get it for China and be China's youngest world champion.”