ONE Championship: China’s Zhang Peimian tells Jon Di Bella ‘see you soon’ after win, US$50,000 bonus in Singapore
- Chinese kickboxer was back in action at ONE Fight Night 8 on Saturday, earning a performance bonus with a decision win over Torepchi Dongak
- Victory separates ‘Fighting Rooster’ from a decision loss to Di Bella, and he is ready for a title rematch with Italian-Canadian ‘any time’
Zhang Peimian had a simple message for ONE Championship strawweight kickboxing king Jon Di Bella after his latest victory.
“See you soon.”
China’s “Fighting Rooster” was back in action at Saturday’s ONE Fight Night 8 event in Singapore, defeating Torepchi Dongak by unanimous decision after three thrilling rounds of action.
He wasted no time calling out the Italian-Canadian champion after the victory.
“Whenever ONE Championship puts Di Bella in front of me, I’m ready,” he told the Post backstage at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. “I’m ready all the time. Any time is OK.”
Zhang, 19, knows Di Bella well. The pair clashed for the vacant strawweight title last October, and it seemed like anybody’s fight until the fifth round, when the Italian-Canadian, 26, clinched a decision win with a dramatic head-kick knockdown.
The Chinese star is confident a second fight with his rival would end in his favour.
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“Last year I lost the fight, but this time I have confidence I can win,” he said. “Di Bella is a very good fighter and he’s very smart. Last time I fought him I learned a lot, and I’ve practised a lot.
“This time will be different.”
Di Bella has not fought since he defeated Zhang to win the belt, but he has made it clear that he is ready to return to action, and has welcomed a rematch with his Chinese rival.
He campaigned for a spot at ONE’s United States debut in Broomfield, Colorado on May 5, but will seemingly not get his wish.
One way or the other, both men seem ready for a rematch soon, and Zhang is expecting another competitive fight that goes the distance.
“He’s a very good fighter, so I think it will be a five-round fight, and I’ll win by decision,” he said.
Zhang’s win over Dongak was good for a US$50,000 bonus courtesy of ONE chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong – a perk that is normally reserved for fighters that score finishes.
“I was so excited and very happy when I heard the news,” he said of his bonus. “I was very surprised because I didn’t finish him.”
With his win over Dongak, Zhang is now 3-1 in ONE, having beaten Josh Tonna and Aslanbek Zikreev in his first two bouts with the promotion.
Di Bella’s victory over the Zhang marked his ONE debut.
