ONE 162: Zhang vs. Di Bella will be a Combat sport event held by ONE Championship on October 21, 2022 at the Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Fight Card
Main Card
Strawweight 57 kg China Zhang Peimian vs. Canada Jonathan Di Bella Vacant Kickboxing Strawweight Championship
Flyweight 61 kg Australia Reece McLaren vs. Brazil Windson Ramos
Lightweight 77 kg Romania Constantin Rusu vs. Russia Islam Murtazaev Kickboxing
Strawweight 57 kg Brazil Alex Silva vs. Cuba Gustavo Balart
Featherweight 70 kg Denmark Niclas Larsen vs. France Jimmy Vienot Muay Thai
Flyweight 61 kg Indonesia Eko Roni Saputra vs. Thailand Yodkaikaew Fairtex
Preliminary Card
Bantamweight 66 kg Brazil Leandro Issa vs. Russia Artem Belakh
Flyweight 61 kg Russia Tagir Khalilov vs. Canada Denis Puric Muay Thai
Welterweight 84 kg United States Ben Wilhelm vs. Kyrgyzstan Ruslan Emilbek Uulu
Background
The event will be headlined by a vacant ONE Kickboxing Strawweight Championship bout between Zhang Peimian and promotional newcomer Jonathan Di Bella.
In the night’s top attraction, Chinese phenom Zhang Peimian takes on undefeated Canadian-Italian star Jonathan Di Bella for the ONE Strawweight Kickboxing World Title, which was recently vacated by the legendary Sam-A Gaiyanghadao.
“Fighting Rooster” has notched back-to-back wins over Aslanbek Zikreev and Josh Tonna, showcasing his skill and power with decision and knockout victories, respectively.
Zhang’s opponent may be making his debut on the global stage, but Di Bella brings a perfect 10-0 kickboxing slate with him into the encounter, as well as an unblemished 2-0 record in professional boxing.
The Chinese teenage sensation’s power and diverse arsenal will go up against the Canadian-Italian’s speed and slick counters, creating must-see action for fans of the striking arts.
In the co-main event, former ONE Lightweight Kickboxing World Title challengers Nieky Holzken and Islam Murtazaev look to get back on the winning track in a clash of top contenders.
Holzken is one of the most decorated strikers of his era and wants to prove that he’s still among the division’s elite. Meanwhile, Murtazaev would earn his biggest scalp to date with a victory over the iconic Dutchman.
There are four more bouts with World Title connotations on the main card, including a flyweight MMA scrap between #5-ranked Reece McLaren and surging Brazilian Windson Ramos.
McLaren wants to build off his recent first-round victory over Xie Wei. And while Ramos may not boast the same experience as his rival, the Checkmat product finds himself on a five-bout winning streak and looks to extend that at the Aussie’s expense.
Elsewhere on the main card, #4-ranked featherweight kickboxing contender Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong has his eyes on a fourth battle with his compatriot and the division’s reigning king, Superbon Singha Mawynn.
However, the Thai legend first has to beat “Too Sharp” Mohammed Boutasaa, an undefeated 23-year-old prodigy who is looking to break into the upper echelon of the most stacked division in combat sports.
Also, #4-ranked MMA strawweight contender Gustavo Balart aims to continue his ascent up the ladder when he faces former ONE Strawweight World Champion Alex Silva, and former ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Title challenger Jimmy Vienot opens the main card against Niclas Larsen.
Getting the night started will be an action-packed lead card, which features Indonesian superstar Eko Roni Saputra, former ONE World Title challenger Leandro Issa, and more.
