Fernandes next? Belingon hopes to unify bantamweight belts this year

Kevin Belingon and Bibiano Fernandes. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Kevin Belingon finally got his own title belt in ONE Championship after he beat Martin Nguyen to become the interim bantamweight champion.

Team Lakay’s “Silencer,” however, knows there’s still a person standing in his way to becoming the true king of the bantamweight division and that is undisputed champion Bibiano Fernandes.

Belingon, however, didn’t need to wait long to challenge Fernades for a unification bout as the two shared the cage at the end of the ONE: Reign of Kings card at Mall of Asia Arena.

READ: Belingon dominates Nguyen for ONE interim bantamweight belt 

Decked out in a sharp dark blue suit, Fernandes, belt in tow, congratulated Belingon.

“He did a good job today, but I’m still the champion,” said Fernandes who is nursing an injury.

“To my friend Bibiano, I respect him as a champion and we’re in the same weight class,” said Belingon. “I’m a top contender, there’s no escape my friend. I hope you recover fast so we can fight this year.”

READ: GALLERY: ONE Championship: Reign of Kings

Belingon (19-5) said he still has a lot of tricks left in his bag and the performance he showed against Nguyen (11-3), who is still the featherweight and lightweight champion, and he’ll happily show it all when he eventually fights Fernandes.

“There will be surprises so you guys should look forward for it when I face Bibi,” said Belingon, who is on a six-fight winning streak, in Filipino.

Belingon’s last loss was more than two years ago and it was against Fernandes.

“Right now, the fight against Bibiano is imminent and I’m just waiting for ONE to tell me when it is so I can prepare properly,” said Belingon.