ONE Fight Night 15: Jonathan Di Bella Recaps Victory Over ‘Very Tough’ Danial Williams

ONE Strawweight Kickboxing World Champion Jonathan Di Bella kickstarted his reign this past weekend at ONE Fight Night 15 against Danial Williams. And the Canadian-Italian displayed his most dominant outing in doing so.

Di Bella battered Williams over the course of a frantic five-round battle this past Saturday, 7 October. The striking titan picked apart his Thai-Australian foe to leave with the unanimous decision in hand.

The victory saw him move to 12-0 as a professional. It was Di Bella's first outing since claiming the World Title at ONE 162 in October 2022. But being the perfectionist, Di Bella sees plenty of things to improve on to prolong his stronghold over the division.

"Yes, I was confident. I believe I won all rounds. [It's] just my performance could've been better. [It] wasn't the one I wanted, but I got the W," Di Bella said.

"[I'm] not the happiest. I knew I could've done better. I just find my timing was a bit off. But we're always improving, and I can't wait to get back."

For the returning Di Bella, he knew Williams would put up a mighty effort. "Mini T" has been to battle with some of the biggest names in combat sports, such as ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon.

He even met ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion Superlek Kiatmoo9 this past March at ONE Fight Night 8 on relatively short notice. Di Bella was well aware of the competitor awaiting him. And in the aftermath, he has plenty of respect for Williams.

"Yeah, he's very tough," Di Bella said. "I knew coming into the fight, he was not going to be an easy opponent too. He's been there before, all five rounds, and I knew that already. He showed it and he's very tough. I knew that already."

ONE Championship arrived in the U.S. this past May with ONE Fight Night 10: Johnson vs. Moraes. And after the success of their first show in the West, the organization looks to return four more times in 2024.

For Di Bella, an outing in the first half of 2024 appeals to him. After all, the ONE Strawweight Kickboxing World Champion's momentum is sky-high after a masterful outing this past weekend. Fighting in the U.S. for the first time in five years would be something of a homecoming.

"What's next is whoever's next. I'm open to fight anybody. And hopefully I get to fight in the U.S. shows," Di Bella said on his next appearance in the ONE Championship.