Jonathan Di Bella has called for Prajanchai PK Saenchai to rematch him in Atlanta, or else vacate the ONE Championship strawweight kickboxing title if he plans to move up to 135lbs.
The Italian-Canadian suffered a controversial unanimous decision loss to Thailand’s Prajanchai in July, prompting an outcry from some fans and media members who saw things differently at Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium.
Muay Thai king Prajanchai’s victory also saw him become a two-sport champion in ONE at 125lbs, but he seems hungry for more gold a further weight class up.
The 29-year-old Thai recently expressed a desire on social media to test himself at flyweight – starting with a super fight against Japanese striking icon Takera Segawa, and his comments drew short shrift from the former champion Di Bella.
“Chatri [Sityodtong ONE chairman and CEO] wanted us to do the rematch but Prajanchai decided to move up to the 135lbs division. Yeah, he is going to flyweight,” Di Bella told the Bangkok Post in New York, where he was celebrating the annual San Gennaro festival with his family.
“I should fight for the vacant championship or for an interim belt on the Atlanta card, for sure.
“If he decides to stay at strawweight, let’s definitely do the rematch on November 8 in Atlanta. That’s what I’m hoping for.”
ONE will return to the United States on November 8 for ONE 169 at the State Farm Arena, following September’s successful card in Denver, Colorado.
Di Bella has been itching for a rematch with Prajanchai ever since his defeat at ONE Friday Fights 68 earlier this summer.
He and his team felt he had won the first three rounds of the five-round fight, but Prajanchai outscored him 4-1 on two of the three scorecards, prompting cries of a “robbery” from some fans on social media.
“I don’t know why he wants to move up,” Di Bella added. “I would rather do the rematch. But if he does, that’s good for him.
“I just want to fight, to get my belt back.”
ONE 169 in Atlanta is already stacked with four title fights, headlined by a heavyweight MMA clash between Anatoly Malykhin and challenger Oumar “Reug Reug” Kane.
Featherweight Muay Thai champion Tawanchai PK Saenchai is also set to defend his belt in a trilogy rematch against “Smokin’” Jo Nattawuti.
Rodtang Jitmuangnon will put his flyweight Muay Thai belt on the line in a rematch with Britain’s Jacob Smith, while Christian Lee returns from a two-year layoff to defend his lightweight MMA title against Alibeg Rasulov.
The Italian-Canadian suffered a controversial unanimous decision loss to Thailand’s Prajanchai in July, prompting an outcry from some fans and media members who saw things differently at Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium.
Muay Thai king Prajanchai’s victory also saw him become a two-sport champion in ONE at 125lbs, but he seems hungry for more gold a further weight class up.
The 29-year-old Thai recently expressed a desire on social media to test himself at flyweight – starting with a super fight against Japanese striking icon Takera Segawa, and his comments drew short shrift from the former champion Di Bella.
“Chatri [Sityodtong ONE chairman and CEO] wanted us to do the rematch but Prajanchai decided to move up to the 135lbs division. Yeah, he is going to flyweight,” Di Bella told the Bangkok Post in New York, where he was celebrating the annual San Gennaro festival with his family.
“I should fight for the vacant championship or for an interim belt on the Atlanta card, for sure.
“If he decides to stay at strawweight, let’s definitely do the rematch on November 8 in Atlanta. That’s what I’m hoping for.”
ONE will return to the United States on November 8 for ONE 169 at the State Farm Arena, following September’s successful card in Denver, Colorado.
Di Bella has been itching for a rematch with Prajanchai ever since his defeat at ONE Friday Fights 68 earlier this summer.
He and his team felt he had won the first three rounds of the five-round fight, but Prajanchai outscored him 4-1 on two of the three scorecards, prompting cries of a “robbery” from some fans on social media.
“I don’t know why he wants to move up,” Di Bella added. “I would rather do the rematch. But if he does, that’s good for him.
“I just want to fight, to get my belt back.”
ONE 169 in Atlanta is already stacked with four title fights, headlined by a heavyweight MMA clash between Anatoly Malykhin and challenger Oumar “Reug Reug” Kane.
Featherweight Muay Thai champion Tawanchai PK Saenchai is also set to defend his belt in a trilogy rematch against “Smokin’” Jo Nattawuti.
Rodtang Jitmuangnon will put his flyweight Muay Thai belt on the line in a rematch with Britain’s Jacob Smith, while Christian Lee returns from a two-year layoff to defend his lightweight MMA title against Alibeg Rasulov.
