Belingon, umukit ng kasaysayan sa ONE
SINGAPORE – Tinanghal na undisputed ONE Bantamweight World Champion si Pinoy fighter Kevin “The Silencer’ Belingon nang gapiin ang kampeon at maalamat na Brazilian MMA fighter na si Bibiano Fernandes sa main event ng ONE: HEART OF THE LION nitong Biyernes ng gabi sa Singapore Indoor Stadium.
Matikas na nakipasabayan si Belingon sa kabuuan ng limang rounds kung saan nailusot niya ang ilang malalaking puntos laban sa mala-palos na bilis na karibal tungo sa split decision na nagbigay ng bagong kasaysayan sa Philippine MMA.
“Bibiano [Fernandes] is a very tough opponent, I really had a hard time beating him tonight. I respect him very much, and it is an honor to fight such a tough fighter. I know Bibiano is very tough, but I think I deserve this victory. The game plan was to knock him out. We saw [a weakness] in his previous fight. I kept on giving him everything, but he has good defense,” pahayag ni Belingon.
Sa co-main event ng promosyon, pinasaya ni Christian “The Warrior” Lee ang mga kababayan na dumagsa sa venue nang gapiin ang liyamadong si Kazuki Tokudome ng Japan via technical knockout sa first round. Naisalba ni Lee ang muntik nang takedown sa unang bahagi ng laban nang makahulagpos sa tamang pagkakataon bago nailusot ang isang bigwas na tumama sa panga ng karibal sanhi nang pagbagsak nito sa canvas.
Samantala, ipinahayag ni ONE Championship Chairman Chatri Sityodtong ang pagsapi ni dating UFC women’s bantamweight champion Miesha Tate hindi bilang isang fighter kundi bilang bahagi ng Asian MMA promotion’s executive team.
“Please join me in welcoming my good friend @MieshaTate to @ONEChampionship!” pahayag ni Sityodtong sa kanyang Twitter account.
“She is one of the greatest female mixed martial artists in history. Above all, she has a heart of gold. Miesha will be moving to Singapore in early 2019 to join us as a Vice President.”
“It is both an honor and a privilege to announce that women’s mixed martial arts world champion Miesha Tate will be joining ONE Championship as Vice President,” sambit ni Sityodtong.
“Miesha has been an incredible pioneer for the sport and has been an inspiration for many young men and women. What impresses me most about Miesha is her humility, compassion, honor, and respect.”
Ikinalugod naman ni Tate ang tiwala na ibinigay sa kanya ng ONE promotion.
“I am thrilled to join ONE Championship as a Vice President,” pahayag ni Tate. “I truly believe in its mission of unleashing real-life superheroes who ignite the world with hope, strength, dreams, and inspiration. I’m honored to bring my experience as a world champion and to help inspire the next generation of athletes.”
Tinanghal na UFC women’s bantamweight champion si Tate nang gapiin si Holly Holm noong March 2016. Tangan niya ang career record na 18-7 bago nagretiro.