28 September 2018
28 September 2018 – Singapore: ONE Interim Bantamweight World Champion Kevin “The Silencer” Belingon of Baguio City, Philippines is scheduled to face reigning ONE Bantamweight World Champion Bibiano “The Flash” Fernandes of Brazil in a highly-anticipated bantamweight title unification bout at ONE: HEART OF THE LION, set for the Singapore Indoor Stadium on 9 November.
Before he takes to the ONE Championship cage in this epic World Champion vs. World Champion super-bout, Belingon talks about the announcement of the bout and his opponent Fernandes.
Kevin Belingon, ONE Interim Bantamweight World Champion, stated:
“I am super excited. Finally the long wait is over, and now I’m fighting Bibiano Fernandes for the undisputed bantamweight title. Ever since the night I lost to him the first time in China, this moment has been all that I have looked forward to. Every opponent, every challenge that I have faced since then, has brought me here. This is what I have worked extremely hard for. I know that nothing will get easier, and I have to work twice as hard to prepare for the biggest bout of my life. This is a career-defining bout for me. I am laser focused on coming into this fight in the best shape ever, and I am working triple on my preparations.”
“I’m always motivated. After taking home the interim belt, I felt even more motivated because I knew I would be facing the champion soon. The Filipino fans have wanted this for so long, and it makes me happy that I can now give this to them. I feel strong and confident knowing I have their support. Coming to Singapore, I know it’s neutral ground, but I am grateful for every Filipino who shows their support. I am doing this for myself, and for the honor of my country. I will not leave anything to chance. I will take control of my destiny and I am definitely looking to finish this fight within the distance.”
“Bibiano [Fernandes] is an incredible champion. For so long I have looked up to him as a martial artist, and I have complete respect for him. But I have zeroed in on facing him. He has been on my mind for more than two years now. I have upgraded my skills where necessary. This time around, things will be different. I am a completely different fighter. I know the mistakes I made in the first bout. This is my chance to erase that memory. See you inside the cage Bibiano.”
ONE: HEART OF THE LION is scheduled for Friday, 9 November at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. The main event features a World Champion vs. World Champion super-bout as reigning ONE Women’s Strawweight World Champion “The Panda” Xiong Jing Nan of China defends her title against ONE Women’s Atomweight World Champion “Unstoppable” Angela Lee of Singapore.
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