Dangal ng Pinoy, ibabangon ni Belingon
NAKATAYA ang pagkakataon na muling mapalaban sa world championship sa duwelo nina Pinoy fighter Kevin ‘The Silencer’ Belingon at American Andrew Leone sa main card ng ONE: Heroes of Honor bukas sa 20,000-seater MOA Arena.
Tangan ang four-bout winning streak, kumpiyansa si Belingon (17-5), isa sa star fighter ng pamosong Team Lakay, na makamit ang panalo para muling mabigyan ng tsansa na harapin sa ‘rematch’ si ONE Bantamweight World Champion Bibiano ‘The Flash’ Fernandes.
Tulad niya, ang makabawi sa Brazilian star ang layunin ni Leone (8-3).
“I know Andrew Leone is a tough opponent, and I need to be at my best to win. It’s going to be one of my biggest matches to date,” pahayag ni Belingon.
“I am very thankful to ONE Championship for allowing me to be a part of this historic event. I can’t leave anything to chance. I have to give another great performance. Beating Leone would be the next step to the title.”
Ikinalugod naman ni Leone na makaharap ang Pinoy fighter sa harap ng mga kababayan nito.
“This is a tremendous opportunity for me. I can’t wait to go up there and show what I can do, to perform to the best of my ability,” sambit ni Leone. “Kevin Belingon is a tough guy. He’s a hard puncher and he has power. But I’m not worried about his striking. I’ve faced tough guys before. All I can say is that I’ll be ready.”
Ipinahayag din ni Chatri Sityodtong, Chairman and CEO ng ONE Championship, ang pagsasagawa sa ONE: Heros of Honor ng world premiere ng pinaka-aabangang ONE Super Series. Mapapanood sa Series ang duwelo sa iba’t ibang MMA disciplines tulad ng Muay Thai, kickboxing, karate, taekwondo, Kung Fu, wushu, sanda, silat, lethwei, at iba pa.
“It’s an open invitation to the greatest strikers in the world,” sambit ni Sityodtong. “Fans will witness the absolute elite in striking martial arts, as they go head-to-head on the biggest and most prestigious global stage of competition.”
Sa pagsasagawa ng Super Series, ang ONE Championship ang itinuturing pinakamalaki at pinakamalawak na martial arts organization sa mundo.
“Aside from the many great bouts this Friday night, what I’m most excited about is the launch of ONE Super Series. ONE Championship is the only global player to encompass all styles of martial arts,” sambit ni ityodtong. “We have the best in all styles going up against each other. That’s definitely something to look forward to.”
Dumating din sa media conference na ginanap nitong Martes sa City of Dreams sina Honorio “The Rock” Banario ng Team Lakay at karibal na si Adrian “The Hunter” Pang ng Australia.