Danial Williams has come up short in his latest bid for a ONE World Title.
“Mini T” fought valiantly, but ultimately succumbed by unanimous decision to ONE strawweight kickboxing world champion Jonathan Di Bella in the ONE Fight Night 15 co-main event.
Di Bella’s hand speed was an issue for Williams from the opening bell, and the Aussie was rocked by a head kick late in the frame.
Williams grew into the fight as the rounds wore on and battered the Canadian Italian’s lead leg with low kicks.
Di Bella was able to carry on while appearing unhindered by the obvious damage to his leg and the 26-year-old continued to land the harder shots.
The defeat was Williams’ second unsuccessful world title shot after a crushing loss to flyweight kickboxing king Superlek Kiatmoo9 back in March.
Di Bella defended his title for the first time and improved his professional record to a perfect 12-0.
It was a tough night for the Aussies, as Celest Hansen also fell in her catchweight Muay Thai bout with Thai phenom Phetjeeja Lukjaoporongtom.
The Fairtex Training Centre representative showed her durability against the heavy-handed Phetjeeja, but a bad cut to her forehead forced a doctor stoppage early in the final frame.
Thanh Le claimed the ONE interim featherweight MMA world title in the main event with a quick heel hook submission over Russian contender Ilya Freymanov.
The American now looks desitined to run it back with old foe Tang Kai for the undisputed title, after the pair battled for five rounds in August 2022 with the Chinese superstar retaining his title via unanimous decision.
ONE Fight Night 15 Full Results
ONE Interim Featherweight MMA World Title: Thanh Le defeated Ilya Freymanov via submission (heel hook) R1, 1:02
ONE Strawweight Kickboxing World Title: Jonathan Di Bella (c) defeated Danial Williams via unanimous decision
Featherweight Kickboxing: Tawanchai PK Saenchai defeated Jo Nattawut via unanimous decision
Openweight Submission Grappling: Mikey Musumeci defeated Shinya Aoki via submission (heel hook) R1, 3:05
Strawweight MMA: Joshua Pacio defeated Mansur Malachiev via unanimous decision
Lightweight MMA: Zhang Lipeng defeated Timofey Nastyukhin via TKO (punches) R1, 3:18
Flyweight MMA: Hu Yong defeated Eko Roni Saputra via TKO (punches) R1, 1:03
Catchweight (121lb) Muay Thai: Phetjeeja Lukjaoporongtom defeated Celest Hansen via TKO (doctor stoppage) R3, 1:01
Welterweight MMA: Hiroyuki Tetsuka defeated Jin Tae Ho via submission (armbar) R1, 4:45
Catchweight (174.5lb) Muay Thai: Shakir Al-Tekreeti defeated Bampara Kouyate via unanimous decision
