A true student of the game, Jonathan Di Bella is ecstatic to join the star-studded lineup at ONE 172: Takeru vs. Rodtang inside Saitama Super Arena in Japan on Sunday, March 23.
The bonus is competing against the man who he always had an eye on as he rose through the ranks, Sam-A Gaiyanghadao, for the ONE Interim Strawweight Kickboxing World Championship.
"It's a dream come true. Saitama Super Arena is a legendary arena for kickboxing and all combat sports because it's been there forever. I used to watch all the old fights, all the old kickboxing fights on videos when I was young, and it was always at the Saitama Super Arena," Di Bella said to ONE.
"It's really a nice venue and a dream come true, especially fighting Sam-A there. A legend. My dream fight against Sam-A, and the Saitama Super Arena is going to be a perfect location."
When Di Bella first signed with ONE Championship, Sam-A ruled the division. Though his path proved more winding than expected, the matchup he craved has finally arrived.
The dream fight has all the makings of an instant classic. The stylistic collision is something Di Bella is curious about himself, as he does not know what kind of title tilt it will be on March 23.
Prepared for every possibility, the Italian-Canadian expects both technique and attrition to play a role in this World Championship affair.
"I think it's going to be a tactical fight until somebody lands a hard shot, and then we're just gonna start trading and start going at it in the middle of the ring," Di Bella said.
"Hopefully, we just start and trade and give fans a war. I hope for that. I really hope for that."
ONE 172: Rodtang vs. Takeru airs live Sunday, March 23, from Japan on global pay-per-view via watch.onefc.com.
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