Jonathan Di Bella discusses ONE Championship signing
On Monday, June 1, ONE FC announced the signing of 14 new athletes to join their roster. On that announcement list was none other than Canadian kickboxing prospect, Jonathan Di Bella. Di Bella (23 years old) has made waves in his young career, thus far, and this announcement marks the biggest in his career to date. An opportunity, Di Bella refuses to let slip through his fingers.
“I couldn’t announce it until yesterday (Monday),” Di Bella said when speaking to MyMMANews . “That (announcement) motivated me even more, so I’m more excited and I’m more pumped to fight for ONE FC!”
Starting as a toddler, Di Bella fell in love with the sport at a young age. Following in his fathers footsteps, Angelo, Di Bella was previously an American kickboxing champion and coach who has worked with the likes of UFC’s John Makdessi, and JoJo Calderwood. The father-son duo also hold black belts in Kyokushinkai karate and teach full time at Di Bella Kickboxing “Kickboxing is my first love” Di Bella says.
“I’ve been doing it since I was two years old.” The young, DiBella had his first amateur bout when he was only the mere age of 10 years old. “As soon as I started fighting, I fell in love with it,” he says. Thus, igniting a flame that’s fueled by hard work, long nights, and strenuous amounts of pressure on both, his body and mind. All of the hard work and sacrifices it would take to leave a legacy through his combat sports career, and embarking on the life of a world champion. From traveling the world, fighting for a multitude of titles along the way. From training in Thailand, to fighting in Madison Square Garden, DiBella has quite the resume to back his recent signing with the Asian based ONE Championship.
“Ever since they started a kickboxing division I always had my eye out on it (ONE Championship Kickboxing). And I was very excited and very impressed by their league. You know, it was like a dream come true for a kickboxer and a Muay Thai fighter.” Through negotiations, Di Bella says he was in contact with all of the world class promotions. “We were in talks with them (Bellator) but it didn’t work out. Same with Glory. But this worked out well. One Championship is one of the best in the world. And I’m very happy with them!”
Although, Quebec, Canada is currently still riding out the quarantine from the worldwide pandemic, Di Bella Kickboxing has been closed. However, that doesn’t mean Di Bella has closed down his training. The motivated strawweight utilized this time to up the ante by building his home-gym in his garage. “Me, I’ve been training even harder because I have more time! And more focused, yeah. I’ve been training even harder!” He says with a sense of exhilaration.
When it’s all said and done, “I just want to be a world champion! I want to take out the (ONE Championship) world champion.” Di Bella says. Although, there’s no official word on a promotion debut to date, the Canadian standout exclaims, “Whenever they need me, I’m ready!”
Reaffirming, “anytime!”
Tune in above as MyMMANews catches up with ONE’s recent strawweight kickboxing addition, Jonathan DiBella as he discusses the particulars to the biggest news of his life!
