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ONE interim strawweight kickboxing world champion Jonathan Di Bella welcomes the arrival of new faces from other leagues in ONE Championship. He is looking forward to facing off with them and testing their skill level.
He shared his thoughts on it in an interview with combat sports journalist Nick Atkin for ONE Championship, citing in particular those coming from organizations like K-1 and Rise.
The Canadian-Italian champion said:
"I’m excited that there’s constantly new strawweight kickboxing and Muay Thai fighters fighting there. I also see a lot of Japanese superstars coming from other leagues, like from K-1 and Rise, they want to come and challenge themselves in ONE."
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Watch the interview below:
ONE Championship in the last couple of years has seen its roster of athletes grow with the arrival of new talents, including from Japan. They have steadily carved a successful path in the promotion, giving longtime campaigners solid competition.
Jonathan Di Bella says he has special affinity for Japanese martial arts scene
Adding to Jonathan Di Bella's excitement of seeing new talents enter ONE Championship, especially those from Japan, is the special affinity he has for the martial arts scene in the "Land of the Rising Sun."
The 28-year-old Team Di Bella kickboxing spoke about it after he was featured in the promotion's latest event in Japan back in March. He cited how the place is very significant to him as a fighter as it is where the first martial art he learned came from and that he has utmost respect for the fighters and fans there.
Di Bella said:
"I just first want to say thank you Chatri [Sityodtoing], ONE Championship for having me on a big event in Japan. Kyokushin Karate was my first martial art, and it's from Japan, and it's an honor to be fighting here a legend like Sam-A in front of a beautiful crowd. Thank you."
ONE 172 in Japan was the venue of Jonathan Di Bella's last match, where he claimed the interim strawweight kickboxing world title with a unanimous decision victory over Thai legend and former divisional king Sam-A Gaiyanghadao.
