By Michael Angelo S. Murillo, Senior Reporter
IN impressive fashion on July 27, Filipino mixed martial arts fighter Kevin “The Silencer” Belingon added his name to the list of champions in ONE Championship after dominating two-division champion Martin “The Situ-Asian” Nguyen to claim the interim world bantamweight title.
It was a master performance from Baguio-based Belingon that left many impressed, including one local combat sports analyst who believes the Filipino is now ready to meet reigning world champion Bibiano “The Flash” Fernandes for the undisputed title once again.
In front of a huge crowd at the Mall of Asia Arena on Friday, Mr. Belingon completed a big night for Filipino fighters, dominating in five full rounds Mr. Nguyen to win by unanimous decision in the main event of “ONE: Reign of Kings.”
Displaying unrelenting striking and highly improved takedown defense, the Team Lakay stalwart frustrated Mr. Nguyen, who was angling to add the bantamweight gold to his featherweight and lightweight belts, throughout the contest and hardly allowed the Vietnamese-Australian fighter to get his groove en route to winning.
For analyst Nissi Icasiano, apart from Mr. Belingon’s inherent talent and improved skills set, the thorough preparation that he had with his team in the lead-up to the fight did wonders for him.
“Belingon did his homework very well. He noticed that Nguyen is one-trick pony. He only relies on his right hand. It was a matter of anticipating the pattern of Nguyen’s offense,” Mr. Icasiano said when asked by BusinessWorld what did it for Mr. Belingon in his latest victory.
He went on to say that it did not help Mr. Nguyen’s cause either to have faced a natural bantamweight with the caliber of Mr. Belingon.
“I believe that the process of cutting down to bantamweight took a toll on Nguyen. It was taxing on his part. It affected his performance. He was sluggish as a lightweight, but he still packed power. Against Christian Lee at featherweight last May, he was in perfect shape. But against Belingon last Friday, the proof is in the pudding. I won’t be surprised if it’s his last hurrah as a bantamweight,” said the analyst.
REMATCH WITH BIBIANO
The win sets Mr. Belingon (19-5) up to a reengagement with long-time bantamweight champion Fernandes, which Mr. Icasiano said he sees to be nothing like the first time the two met in 2016 where the Brazilian made short work of the Filipino by winning through submission (Kimura) in the opening round.
Owing to the improvement that Mr. Belingon has shown since the first fight, he would be more ready to face Mr. Fernandes the second time around for the title.
“Kevin has improved by leaps and bounds. When Belingon fought Bibiano in January 2016, the difference in skill level was day and night. Although the route to the world title was long and arduous for the Team Lakay spitfire, it served a greater purpose for Kevin Belingon’s growth as a martial artist,” the analyst said.
“Is he ready for the legendary Bibiano Fernandes? Absolutely! He is prepared for the suffocating ground game. Of course! Five of Belingon’s last six opponents possess extensive grappling pedigrees. He went through the eye of a needle, but he transformed into a well-rounded competitor. Team Lakay has an excellent reputation in second encounters. Definitely, Kevin Belingon will give headaches to Bibiano in their imminent rematch,” Mr. Icasiano added.
Since losing to Mr. Fernandes, Mr. Belingon has won six straight fights to make his way back to legit title contention, and eventually become the interim champion.
ONE Championship has yet to announce when the bantamweight unification title bout would happen but both Messrs. Belingon and Fernandes expressed their excitement and readiness for it when it does happen.

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR