Team Lakay’s Kevin Belingon. —TRISTAN TAMAYO/INQUIRER.NET
MANILA, Philippines — Four Team Lakay fighters, led by former undisputed bantamweight champion Kevin Belingon, will see action in ONE: Winter Warriors II next month at Singapore Indoor Stadium.
Eyeing another shot at the world title, Belingon clashes with South Korea’s Kwon Won II.
Belingon’s return comes more than a year after he was stopped by Brazilian strongman John Lineker.
Former title flyweight contender Danny Kingad, who also hasn’t fought in over a year, plunges back into action against former champion Kairat Akhmetov of Kazakhstan.
Kingad’s last bout was back in January 2020 when he beat Xie Wei by unanimous decision.
“We are honored by the trust that ONE Championship has placed in Team Lakay. This is a huge opportunity for us to close the year on a positive note, and we are very proud to represent the Philippines on the biggest global stage of martial arts competition,” Team Lakay coach Mark Sangiao told ONE Championship.
“Our warriors will be going up against a handful of very tough opponents, so it’s not going to be easy. Rest assured that we are working double time in the gym to produce a favorable outcome. Through our hard work and dedication, we will triumph,” added Sangiao, whose son Jhanlo is making his ONE Championship debut in the event.
While Belingon and Kingad are making their return, their teammates Stephen Loman and Jhanlo Mark Sangiao aim to make a good account of themselves in their maiden appearance at ONE.
Loman, the longest reigning world champion during his stint at Middle East-based promotion BRAVE, faces third-ranked bantamweight Yusup Saadulaev.
Jhanlo, meanwhile, tests his mettle against Paul Lumihi of Indonesia.