BELIEVING it could well be the last time that he would face Brazilian champion Bibiano “The Flash” Fernandes in their tightly contested ONE Championship rivalry, Filipino Kevin “The Silencer” Belingon wants to settle things once and for all when the two collide anew at “ONE: Century” in Tokyo, Japan, next month.
Fighting for the fourth time since 2016, Messrs. Belingon and Fernandes clash for the ONE world bantamweight title, which the latter currently holds, as one of the co-main events of part two of the two-pronged Century event of ONE on Oct. 13 at the famed Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo.
Mr. Fernandes (23-4) holds the upper hand in his encounters with Mr. Belingon (20-6), taking two wins out of three matches to date.
The Brazilian champion submitted the Filipino in their first match three years ago before Mr. Belingon got back at him with a split decision victory in November last year to take the bantamweight title.
Mr. Fernandes reclaimed the title in March this year in their trilogy after Mr. Belingon was disqualified over what were deemed illegal blows to the back of the head that ended the match abruptly to the dissatisfaction of both fighters.
If he would have his way, Team Lakay stalwart Belingon said he wants to settle any doubts and talk as regard their rivalry in grand fashion with a knockout and him holding the bantamweight belt anew.
“It is hard to tell how it will end, but I’m looking for a knockout so that all talks will be settled. It’s hard to leave this to the judges because there would be doubts there. I have to get that knockout win,” said Mr. Belingon, 31.
The Filipino bantamweight fighter is right smack in the middle of preparations for his upcoming fight.
He said that his fourth match with Mr. Fernandes will be a tricky one since they practically know each other’s moves.
But nonetheless he expressed readiness for it.
“More than ever, I am familiar with Bibiano — his style, the way he moves. I already know what to expect and what I’ll do in our fourth match,” he said.
“For our game plan, I’m leaving it to coach Mark Sangiao so I can effectively counter his striking and takedowns,” Mr. Belingon added.
Headlining part two of ONE: Century is the light heavyweight title clash between reigning champion Aung La N Sang of Myanmar and heavyweight champion Brandon “The Truth” Vera of the Philippines.
Part one of the offering, meanwhile, has the atomweight world championship fight between current champion Angela “The Unstoppable” Lee of Singapore and challenger and women’s strawweight champ “The Panda” Xiong Jing Nan of China. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo
