Italian-Canadian kickboxing sensation Jonathan Di Bella has attributed the greatest triumph of his fighting career to a deeply personal source of motivation: the love and challenge from his fiancée, Emily Elizabeth. The newly crowned undisputed ONE strawweight kickboxing world champion insists that without her support and a crucial ultimatum, he would not have reached the pinnacle of the sport.
The Road to Redemption and a Proposal
Di Bella's path to the top was long and arduous. His breakthrough moment arrived in March, when he captured the interim strawweight title with a commanding five-round victory over the legendary Thai fighter, Sam-A Gaiyanghadao. Riding high on this success, Di Bella proposed to his longtime partner, Emily Elizabeth, a few months later, and she happily accepted.
However, the celebration was tempered with a dose of reality from his future wife. She reminded him that true career satisfaction remained elusive as long as one significant rival stood in his way. Her message was clear and direct: before they could seriously plan their wedding, Di Bella needed to defeat Prajanchai PK Saenchai.
A Fiancée's Ultimatum Fuels the Fire
This challenge carried immense weight for Di Bella. Prajanchai was the only man to have ever defeated him in his professional career, handing him a loss in 2024 that lingered painfully in his memory. Emily Elizabeth's ultimatum transformed his personal drive into a mission for professional redemption. He dedicated himself to earning a rematch, clawing his way back into title contention with relentless focus.
The opportunity for vengeance and unification came in October. On the global stage of ONE Championship, Di Bella delivered what many consider a career-defining performance. For five full rounds, he masterfully controlled the bout, outclassing the Thai legend with superior movement, sharp striking, and impeccable discipline. When the final bell rang, Jonathan Di Bella had not only unified the 125-pound kickboxing titles but had also decisively erased the sole blemish from his professional record.
Legacy Beyond a Single Victory
The monumental win led to Di Bella being honoured as ONE Championship’s Kickboxer of the Year. Yet, for the champion, this is merely the beginning. He has stated that winning the belt once is insufficient; his goal is to establish a lasting dynasty at the top of the division.
With a queue of hungry challengers awaiting their shot, Di Bella acknowledges that his true legacy will be defined by his ability to stay focused and successfully defend his crown multiple times. His journey, ignited by personal love and a pivotal challenge, has now set the stage for a reign he intends to make memorable.
