The historic bout was the lead fight at ONE Friday Fights 68 at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, reports the Bangkok Post.
The elite strikers put on a fast-paced, nail-biting affair across 15 minutes of kickboxing action that Di Bella took hold of early on.
His rapid body shot combinations and relentless cardio allowed him to stay on the front foot. However, Prajanchai managed to find a way back into the contest midway through the five rounder.
The Thai brutalised the Canadian-Italian’s legs to slow him down and land lethal combinations of his own for the remainder of the narrow contest. Prajanchai subsequently earned the unanimous decision to capture the vacant title and walk away a two-sport world champion.
Meanwhile, the co-main event saw ONE flyweight kickboxing world champion Superlek Kiatmoo9 successfully return to Muay Thai where he secured his 10th consecutive victory against Kongthoranee Sor Sommai by unanimous decision.
“The Kicking Machine” controlled the fray from the first bell to the last, using Kongthoranee’s gun-shy approach to his advantage. He continually kicked his fellow compatriot high and low, mixing up his legendary repertoire.
Kongthoranee eventually grew into the contest, but Superlek cruised to victory to edge closer to his date with ONE bantamweight Muay Thai world champion Jonathan Haggerty at ONE 168: Denver in September.
ONE Friday Fights 68 Full Results:
Prajanchai PK Saenchai defeats Jonathan Di Bella via unanimous decision to claim the ONE Strawweight Kickboxing World Title
Superlek Kiatmoo9 defeats Kongthoranee Sor Sommai via unanimous decision (Muay Thai – flyweight)
Kiamran Nabati defeats Suablack Tor Pran49 via KO (left punch) at 1:54 of round one (Muay Thai – bantamweight) – 1 KD Nabati (R1)
Petchtanong Petchfergus defeats Alaverdi Ramazanov via TKO (referee stoppage) at 1:59 of round two (kickboxing – bantamweight)
Shadow Singha Mawynn defeats Jimmy Vienot via unanimous decision (Muay Thai – featherweight)
Pakorn PK Saenchai defeats Rafi Bohic via KO (right punch) at 2:15 of round one (Muay Thai – bantamweight)
Tyson Harrison defeats Sibmuen via split decision (Muay Thai – bantamweight)
Yodlekpet Or Atchariya defeats Komawut FA Group via unanimous decision (Muay Thai – catchweight 140 lbs) – No KD
Suriyanlek Por Yenying defeats Pompet PK Saenchai via KO (right punch) at 2:50 of round one (Muay Thai – catchweight 132 lbs)
Kaito Sakaguchi defeats Lan Shanteng via unanimous decision (Muay Thai – catchweight 132 lbs) – No
Kohei Wakabayashi defeats Sanding Gexi via split decision (MMA – strawweight)
Ryota Hashimoto defeats Yuto Ueno via KO (right hook) at 2:05 of round one (Muay Thai – catchweight 143 lbs)