Belingon itching for Bibiano rematch

Six years since his ONE Championship debut, Team Lakay’s Kevin Belingon is finally a world champion in the mixed martial arts promotion.

At the recent “Reign of Kings” card, in front of a partisan pro-Philippines crowd at the Mall of Asia Arena, Belingon defeated reigning featherweight and lightweight champ Martin Nguyen to capture the Interim bantamweight title.

For Belingon, it was a childhood dream come true.

“I can’t explain this feeling. I’m the happiest athlete tonight,” Belingon said during the post-match interview. “Thank you to all the people who came out to support me, and of course to ONE Championship, my team, my coaches and trainers, and my teammates.”

With the win, Belingon becomes the fifth Filipino to capture ONE World Championship gold, as he joins current kingpins Brandon Vera of the heavyweight division, as well as Team Lakay stablemates Geje Eustaquio of the flyweight division and former titleholders Eduard Folayang of the lightweight class, and Honorio Banario of the featherweight class.

And while making history as a world champion is indeed a prestigious feat, even more important for Belingon is that he’s finally secured his spot as the next person to challenge reigning bantamweight champion, Bibiano Fernandes.

Fernandes is currently recovering from an injury, and when the most dominant champion in ONE Championship history finally returns, Belingon will be right there, waiting for his rematch.

“I respect [Bibiano] as a champion, but we are in the same weight class, and I am the top contender, so there is no escape in facing me. I hope you recover fast, and that we can make the fight this year,” Belingon said. —