FILE – Kevin Belingon and Bibiano Fernandes will meet again for the fourth time. Photo from ONE Championship
MANILA, Philippines—Kevin Belingon and Bibiano Fernandes have faced each other three times but this saga could finally be coming to an end.
The latest installment in the series, which is unheard of in ONE Championship, is set to take place at ONE: Century on Oct. 13 at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo and Belingon is ready to meet his foe again.
“I feel no pressure at all,” said Belingon of his fight for the ONE World bantamweight title. “I’ve been waiting for this fight since March.”
“I’ve been in this situation before and even though a lot of eyes will be glued to this match, I feel hungry and more motivated to perform and to win.”
Fernandes holds a 2-1 edge over Belingon, who lost in controversial fashion after he was disqualified 1:21 into the second round of their title fight for illegal blows to the back of the head on Mar. 31 in ONE: A New Era also in Tokyo.
The loss sent the World bantamweight back to Fernandes but ONE Championship Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong immediately ordered an automatic rematch between the two martial artists.
“This might be the last time we face each other,” said Belingon. “And I want to make sure to give everything I have.”
“My confidence is through the roof, though I’m not taking him lightly, I am taking a very careful approach because I really want to end up on top.”