ONE: Belingon absorbs brutal TKO loss

FILE PHOTO—Kevin Belingon 

MANILA, Philippines—Former champion Kevin Belingon suffered a brutal technical knockout loss bowing to John Lineker in their bantamweight bout in the main event of ONE: Inside the Matrix III Friday at Singapore Indoor Stadium.

The no.1 ranked bantamweight in the division, Belingon had his early moments landing Team Lakay’s spinning heel kicks but Lineker had a punch or two ready for every attack the Filipino sent him.

Lineker, the no.5 in the division, then continued his body assault in the second round and ultimately landed a cracking right uppercut that sent Belingon to the canvas, prompting the referee to stop the bout 1:16 into the second round.

“Belingon’s a very strong opponent but I did train hard to be here tonight,” said Lineker (33-9), who’s now won four of his last five fights and his second straight in ONE.

Lineker then proceeded to call out bantamweight champion Bibiano Fernandes for a potential title bout.

“I want to be the champion, Bibiano I’m coming for you baby!”

The loss marked Belingon’s third straight, the previous two were against Fernandes, as he dropped to 20-8.