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Andrew Whitelaw

Prajanchai PK Saenchai will step into Lumpinee Stadium on Saturday for a rematch with Jonathan Di Bella, and the Thai double champion is confident he has made the right changes to get the job done against the Canadian-Italian.
“Of course, my plan has changed – it will be very difficult for him to beat me,” he told the Post ahead of the strawweight kickboxing world title bout at ONE Fight Night 36 in Bangkok.
The pair went five close rounds in their first meeting, with some fans believing Di Bella had done enough to win. Prajanchai disagreed.
“I believe that I won that fight: my accuracy was better,” he said. “It doesn’t really bother me what people say. I did my best that day.”
At 29, Prajanchai has already collected belts in both Muay Thai and kickboxing. He has fought close to 400 times in his career, underlining the depth of his experience at the highest level.

He admitted that Di Bella was still a different kind of opponent.
“Jon Di Bella is the biggest test of my kickboxing career,” he said. Training for the rematch has meant leaving some of his Muay Thai weapons behind.
“I have to cut out clinching and elbows completely, so there had to be adjustment,” he said. “But it can be done.”
Asked if he would look for a finish, Prajanchai said the opportunity could be there. “If there is an opening, I will finish him quickly,” he said. “As a fighter you just have to have this mindset.”


Di Bella has faced questions about not finishing fights, including from ONE chairman Chatri Sityodtong. Prajanchai does not believe it is a lack of intent. He pointed to Di Bella’s win over Sam-A Gaiyanghadao, where the Canadian-Italian repeatedly targeted an injured leg but could not put the veteran away.
Still, Prajanchai was clear about what it took to earn a shot at him.
“You need a beautiful win streak before you get a title shot with me,” he said. “Aliff [Sor Dechapan] lost against Ellis Barboza, whom I beat. Maybe he should rematch Barboza first. Right now social media say Aliff and Ramadan should fight, and the winner can face me. That could be a great fight.”

Chatri has since said that Prajanchai was likely to defend his belt against the Malaysian-Thai striker at ONE 174, which was rumoured to be taking place in Kuala Lumpur.
The Thai was also open to a showdown with Japanese star Takeru Segawa. “It would be an interesting fight. I would love to face him,” he said.
He also reacted to Di Bella placing him in the same conversation as Saenchai and Buakaw. “I don’t put myself on the level of Saenchai or Buakaw – that’s for the public to decide,” he said.
With teammate Tawanchai PK Saenchai also chasing a kickboxing belt, Prajanchai said patience would be key for his compatriot. “If I were him, I would just keep getting experience, go fight by fight, and eventually he can do it,” he said.
For now, his focus was on Saturday and the task of solving Jonathan Di Bella. This time, Prajanchai believed the outcome would be clear.


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ONE Championship: Prajanchai ready for rematch with ‘biggest test’ Jonathan Di Bella

Prajanchai PK Saenchai beat Jonathan Di Bella over five close rounds in their first meeting in June. Photo: ONE Championship 

Prajanchai (left) said he would try to finish off Jonathan Di Bella quickly. Photo: ONE Championship

Aliff Sor Dechapan (right) meets Prajanchai at ONE Fight Night 32 in June. Photo: ONE Championship

ONE Championship: Jonathan Di Bella gets chance to avenge only loss of his career

Jonathan Di Bella, seen here fighting Danial Williams in a strawweight kickboxing title fight in 2023, said he was treating the rematch with Prajanchai PK Saenchai as the biggest fight of his career. Photo: ONE Championship

Prajanchai (left) celebrates his win over Di Bella in their first bout last year. Photo: ONE Championship

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Sport

Martial Arts

Kickboxing

Muay Thai

As he prepares for his biggest kickboxing test at ONE Fight Night 36, Thai double champion runs the rule over future challengers


As he prepares for his biggest kickboxing test at ONE Fight Night 36, Thai double champion runs the rule over future challengers.


Tawanchai PK Saenchai

ONE Championship: Prajanchai ready for rematch with ‘biggest test’ Jonathan Di Bella

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}As he prepares for his biggest kickboxing test at ONE Fight Night 36, Thai double champion runs the rule over future challengers

As he prepares for his biggest kickboxing test at ONE Fight Night 36, Thai double champion runs the rule over future challengers