ONE strawweight kickboxing world champion Jonathan Di Bella of Italy and Canada wears his New York roots proudly. And when it comes to the player who reignited his love for the Knicks, the admiration runs deep.
Di Bella defends his title against “Fighting Rooster” Zhang Peimian at The Inner Circle 22 July 17 at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok.
The 29-year-old Montreal native has spoken openly about the energy the Knicks’ 2026 NBA championship run has injected into his preparation. At the center of that conversation is one name: reigning NBA Finals MVP Jalen Brunson.
For a fighter who lost his world title in 2024, rebuilt from the ground up and came back to claim the undisputed belt, Brunson’s story of transforming the culture entirely hits close to home.
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The parallel between a point guard who wills his team to wins and a champion who finds solutions in the tightest moments of a five-round fight is not lost on Di Bella.
He told ONE Championship:
“Since he joined the Knicks, he’s been my favorite player. I was watching him when he played for the Dallas Mavericks, but as soon as he came to New York, I was like, ‘This guy is gonna change (the culture).'”
The Italian-Canadian ace added:
“He connected with the Knicks better than, obviously, when he was with Dallas. The Knicks is his home, for sure, and he made them get to this point. Since he has been here, the Knicks have made the playoffs every year. His style of play, he just doesn’t give up. He finds a way to win all the time. That’s my main thing: he finds a way.”
Confirmed bouts for The Inner Circle 22 on July 17
Jonathan Di Bella vs. Zhang Peimian (ONE strawweight kickboxing world title)
Helena Crevar vs. Paige Ivette Clymer (openweight submission grappling)
Yuki Yoza vs. Ben Woolliss (bantamweight kickboxing)
Fans can watch Di Bella defend his title live by purchasing The Inner Circle at live.onefc.com.
Follow Sportskeeda and ONE Championship for more updates on this developing card
Edited by Joseph Schiefelbein