Beating Martin will be huge for my career, says Kevin Belingon

By Niel Victor Masoy

As the top bantamweight contender of the ONE Championship, Kevin Belingon had the outright chance to challenge current division champ Bibiano Fernandes of Brazil.

The Team Lakay standout, though, chose to postpone it as he received the challenge of two-division world champion Martin Nguyen for the interim championship of the said division set on July 27, Friday, at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Belingon isn’t someone who back down from any challenges.

“I took this challenge against Martin Nguyen, despite having a guaranteed shot at Bibiano Fernandes already, because I wanted to prove that I never back down from any challenge no matter how big or small,” he said during the ONE: Reign of Kings Press Conference Tuesday, July 24, at the City of Dreams Hotel in Pasay City.

But aside from not backing down, the allure of conquering the featherweight and lightweight champion in Nguyen before taking down Fernandes is sweeter for Belingon.

“Beating Martin (Nguyen) will be huge for my career.  Mas maganda kung matatalo ko siya kasi two-division world champion eh, kung matatalo ko siya para na rin akong naging two-division world champion,” Belingon shared.

“Mas matamis kung matatalo ko si Nguyen at si Bibiano.”

It’s not only sweeter for Belingon to beat Nguyen, it’s also the way for him to have a shot at Bibiano anew, that’s why the upcoming bout on Friday is crucial for ‘The Silencer’.

“This fight is very important for me. This is my chance, my ticket for facing Bibiano to be the undisputed bantamweight champion,” Belingon said.

“Kelangan kong manalo sa laban na ‘to para makaharap si Bibiano,” he added.

But of course, Martin Nguyen, who’s trying to make history as the only three-division world champion in the history of ONE Championship, is standing on his way.

“In terms of winning this title, it’s all about legacy for me. Winning this title, would be my third one, would be a history,” Nguyen said.

Should ‘The Situ-Asian’ win over Belingon in their bout, the main event of the ONE: Reign of Kings, it would give him a chance for a rematch with Fernandes who topped him via split decision last March.

“It’s a step closer for getting a rematch with Bibiano.”

Meanwhile, despite the home court advantage of Belingon over him, Nguyen is unfazed, noting he’s been the underdog his whole life.

“I’ve been the underdog my whole life so in terms of having a home crowd, a whole country against me, it’s nothing new,” the 29-year old said.

“I’m just gonna take the fight, get in the cage, do what I do and move forward.”

He will be just on the lookout to knock Belingon out, instead.

“Whenever the opportunity arises, I’m gonna jump into it.”