Kevin Belingon is the undisputed ONE bantamweight champion. Photo from ONE Championship
Bibiano Fernandes was in disbelief after Kevin Belingon came away with a close shave in their title rematch in ONE: Heart of a Lion nearly two months ago in Singapore.
Belingon won via split decision to become ONE Championship’s undisputed bantamweight king and even the score with Fernandes, who submitted the Team Lakay star in the opening round of their first encounter two years ago.
With both fighters splitting their first two bouts, a third meeting seems inevitable.
“We are tied at one win apiece, so a third bout to determine the true winner does make sense. I know he is clamoring for a rematch,” he said. “I know he thinks he won the last one, so deep inside, I want to prove to him again that I beat him.”
“I’m just enjoying the time off right now. But of course, I’m open to fighting Bibiano again, or anyone that ONE Championship puts in front of me.”
The 31-year-old Belingon also said he still finds himself in a trance almost two months since dethroning the longest reigning champion in ONE history.
“It really felt like a dream to me. We had worked so hard to reach that point. It didn’t sink in at first, but when it did, I felt accomplished,” Belingon said.
But Belingon’s rise to become the undisputed bantamweight champion did not come without a price.
Belingon said he ended up having a swollen foot after going through the wringer with a split decision win.
“I was pretty banged up. My foot was swollen from all the kicks that I landed,” he revealed. “I really poured everything I had into that one, and my team and I came up with a brilliant game plan. I think that was the key to victory.”