Belingon ready to avenge teammate’s loss in ONE

Kevin Belingon. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Filipino mixed martial artist Kevin Belingon is looking avenge the loss of compatriot Geje Eustaqio to Toni Tauru when he faces the Finnish fighter in April.

Eustaqio was on the receiving end of a submission loss via rear-naked choke from Tauru in ONE Championship: Age of Domination last December.

Belingon (14-5) will face the taller Tauru (11-4-1) in ONE: Kings of Destiny on April 21 at Mall of Asia Arena and the Team Lakay member warned the Finnish that he is set for a different fight.

“It’s not personal to me, winning and losing are part of this beautiful sport,” said Belingon in a statement. “In this fight, however, he will face a natural bantamweight fighter. Geje is not a natural bantamweight.”

“This time it will be an even playing field. Let’s see what he can do against me.”

Belingon, unlike Eustaqio who is a natural flyweight, fought in the bantamweight level his whole career that began in 2009.

“I’ve been a staple of this weight class for a long time, I’ve fought the best of the best,” said Belingon. “I know Toni Tauru’s caliber as a fighter. I am not taking this fight lightly. My focus is on walking away with my name being announced as the winner.”