ONE strawweight kickboxing world title challenger Zhang Peimian of China arrives at The Inner Circle 22 on Friday at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok with a two-fight winning streak and a score left unsettled.
The rematch with reigning champion Jonathan Di Bella has been three-and-a-half years in the making.
The first fight at ONE 162 in 2022 was a five-round war that Zhang largely controlled before a fifth-round high kick knockdown shifted the scorecards in the Italian-Canadian’s favor.
“Fighting Rooster” has spent every day since thinking about what went wrong and what comes next.
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According to the 22-year-old Shengli Fight Club product, the preparation for this rematch has produced something the division has not seen from him before.
“We are trying to build up my body to the best condition, since I wasn’t in the greatest shape in my last few fights because of the injuries,” he told ONE Championship. “And we are preparing some new weapons for the system that fans will see on fight day.”
Zhang Peimian revisits the painful lesson from the first Jonathan Di Bella defeat
When Zhang Peimian looks back at the first match, he does so with clarity rather than bitterness. “Fighting Rooster” knew he was winning up until a split-second miscalculation in the final round.
Looking back, the challenger humbly accepted his mistake.
“I remember that it was a hard battle,” he told ONE. “We were well prepared, and I think I was on the right track to win until that high kick landed. I believe that was the closest a Chinese fighter has come to claiming the kickboxing gold.
“I think I was winning before that knockdown. But I won’t say it was by luck or accident. I could’ve been more watchful.”
Watch Zhang challenge for the crown live at The Inner Circle 22 on Friday, exclusively for Inner Circle Superfan Club members at live.onefc.com.
Edited by Joseph Schiefelbein
