What Zhang Peimian learned from world title match defeat to Jonathan Di Bella

Zhang Peimian learned a lot from his first defeat inside the Circle.

‘Fighting Rooster’ got back into the win column at ONE Fight Night 8 on Prime Video, scoring a unanimous decision victory over ONE Championship debutant Torepchi Dongak. The victory comes five months removed from his first setback inside the Circle against current ONE strawweight kickboxing world champion Jonathan Di Bella.

Speaking to the media following his victory on Friday night, Permian shared the important lessons he learned following his October defeat and how he implemented that into his success at ONE Fight Night 8.

“In the next fight, I'm going to be calmer, and I will fight until the end,” Permian said in a post-fight interview. “Because last time I thought I won and was losing in the last two rounds. So this time, I learned from that, so I will fight until the end.”

With his return to the win column, Zhang Peimian has his sights set on another shot at Di Bella’s ONE world championship. As for when ‘Fighting Rooster’ will be ready to run it back with the Canadian-Italian titleholder, should the opportunity present itself, Peimian told media members that anytime during the second half of the year would be optimal.

“This could be in the middle of this year or at the end of the year. I am ready.”

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Zhang Peimian is determined to make history for his home country

Despite coming up short in his first ONE world title opportunity at ONE 162, Zhang Peimian is unfettered in his pursuit of championship gold. But to earn that opportunity once again, ‘Fighting Rooster’ knows that he has to show up and show out inside the Circle. He did exactly that on Friday night at ONE Fight Night 8 and will continue to do so until he earns another opportunity to claim his first ONE Championship crown.

“To get another world title shot, I have to put together a winning streak… We are targeting the belt, and everything before that is just a stumbling block,” Permian said.

Zhang Peimian isn’t just fighting for himself. He’s not just fighting for the men and women that have stood behind him while he pursues his dream. He’s fighting for his homeland. To make his country proud by delivering them not only their first ONE kickboxing world champion but also becoming the youngest world champion in the history of China.

“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.”