Naito Calls Out Di Bella After Kongthoranee Win

Taiki Naito secured his fourth consecutive victory Friday night and immediately set his sights on ONE Championship gold with a specific opponent in mind.

The Japanese striker knocked down Kongthoranee Sor Sommai in the third round at ONE Fight Night 49 in Bangkok, taking the kickboxing rematch by decision. Naito now stands 40-14 professionally and has reversed an October 2023 defeat to Kongthoranee, who holds three Rajadamnern Stadium Muay Thai championships, BJPenn.com reports.

Di Bella Targeted For Vacant Flyweight Title Shot

With the ONE flyweight kickboxing belt sitting vacant, the 30-year-old Naito wants strawweight champion Jonathan Di Bella to move up and meet him for it. "I want it to be decided already that Di Bella is going to fight with me next year," Naito said. He added that if Di Bella runs out of challengers at strawweight and seeks another belt, he stands ready.

ONE chairman Chatri Sityodtong has indicated Di Bella will defend his strawweight crown in December at ONE 174, meaning any flyweight challenge would come in 2027. Naito said he is prepared to wait.

The Japanese fighter dismissed suggestions Friday's win represented payback for the earlier loss, noting the contests took place under different combat codes. The decisive moment came when his left hook sent Kongthoranee to the canvas in round three, confirming what had been a tight battle at Lumpinee Stadium.

Reported via:

• BJPenn — Taiki Naito wants Jonathan Di Bella next after Kongthoranee win