Françesco Xhaja

Françesko Xhaja (born August 9, 1993) is an Albanian-born Italian kickboxer, currently competing in the light heavyweight division of ONE Championship. As of February 2025, he is ranked as the tenth best heavyweight kickboxer in the world by Beyond Kickboxing.

Professional kickboxing career Early career Xhaja faced Jan Beljajev at Number One Fight Show: Season 10 on September 22, 2018. He won the fight by unanimous decision. Xhaja next faced Mladen Kujundžić at Ultimate Fight Night on November 17, 2018. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

Xhaja challenged Guto Inocente for the WGP Kickboxing Super heavyweight (+94 kg) title at WGP Kickboxing #55 on June 15, 2019. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

Xhaja faced Igor Darmeshkin in the quarterfinals of the 2019 Tatneft Cup heavyweight tournament, which took place on July 19, 2019. He won the fight by unanimous decision, after an extra round was contested. Xhaja was able to stop Mathieu Kongolo in the second round on October 4, 2019, which earned him a place in the tournament finals, which took place on December 15, 2019, opposite Petr Romankevich. He lost the fight by unanimous decision, after an extension round was fought.

Xhaja faced Strahinja Mitrić at Megdan 8: New Winners on December 18, 2020. He won the fight by split decision. Xhaja next faced Cyril Cereyon at Ultimate Fight Night on January 17, 2021. He won the fight by unanimous decision. Xhaja then faced Ahmed Krnjić at Senshi 9 on July 10, 2021. He won the fight by unanimous decision, after an extra round was contested.

ONE Championship Xhaja faced Rade Opačić at ONE: Only the Brave on January 28, 2022, in his promotion debut with ONE Championship. He lost the fight by a second-round technical knockout.

Xhaja faced Andrei Stoica at ONE Fight Night 7 on February 24, 2023. He won the fight by split decision.

Xhaja was expected to challenge Roman Kryklia for the ONE Light Heavyweight Kickboxing World Championship at ONE Fight Night 12 on July 14, 2023. The fight was postponed on July 1, after Xhaja suffered an undisclosed injury.

Xhaja faced Massinissa Hamaili at SENSHI 24 on December 2, 2024. He won the fight by technical knockout 62 seconds into the opening round.

Xhaja faced Florin Ivănoaie at SENSHI 25 on February 22, 2025. He lost the fight by a first-round technical knockout.

Xhaja faced Marius Munteanu at SENSHI 26 - Gladiators on May 17, 2025. He won the fight by a first-round technical knockout.

Championships and accomplishments Tatneft Cup 2019 Tatneft Cup Heavyweight Tournament Runner-up Megdan Fighting 2020 Megdan K-1 Heavyweight (+93 kg) Championship

Fight record