By Jun Ray Navarres
A ray of light in the middle of the darkness
In spite of the fear and gloom brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, former ONE Bantamweight World Champion Kevin “The Silencer” Belingon finds a new motivation as he ventures into fatherhood with the birth of his daughter last August 18, 2020.
Belingon and wife Lee welcomed Kelsey Belingon, a beautiful and healthy baby at Notre Dame De Charles Hospital in Baguio City.
“The Silencer” was the one being silenced as becoming a father had been his dream and getting to hold Kelsey in his arms for the first time was a moment he could not put into words.
“The original plan was that I’m supposed to be with my wife during the delivery. But due to Covid-19, there were new restrictions, so I had to wait outside the delivery room. I just couldn’t wait to see our baby at that moment,” Belingon uttered excitedly.
“It is the best feeling I’ve ever experienced.”
The 32-year old mixed martial arts veteran has been through a lot of ups and downs in the ONE Circle but the recent milestone is a whole new level that no achievement could top.
Belingon, who was considered one of the pillars of the famed Team Lakay of Baguio City, and of Philippine mixed martial arts, reached the pinnacle of his professional mixed martial arts career when he unified the ONE Bantamweight World Championship with a split decision over Brazilian rival Bibiano “The Flash” Fernandes in 2018.
“The Silencer” is currently on the comeback trail after losing the aforementioned title to “The Flash” with a disqualification after launching illegal elbows to the back of Fernandes’ head last March of 2019 and a rear-naked choke defeat in late of the same year.
“Can’t wait to be back,” Belingon posted in Facebook along with the video highlights of his fight with Fernandes.
Now a new father, the family-oriented Belingon says he is motivated more than ever to resume his career and give his child the future she deserves.
“Having a child in that picture makes me level up my game as the head of the family. I feel more motivated in everything in life right now, especially in providing a good future for our child,” Belingon said.
Belingon joins the list of Team Lakay fathers that include former ONE Lightweight World Champion Eduard Folayang, ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix Finalist Danny Kingad, and former ONE Flyweight World Champion Geje Eustaquio, among others.
Photo courtesy of Kevin ‘The Silencer’ Belingon Facebook page
Follow the writer on Twitter: @burnsports
