Team Lakay’s Kevin Belingon’s world championship match is now official!
ONE Championship announced last January 4 the full line-up for ONE Championship: Dynasty of Champions (Changsha). “ONE Championship continues its dedication to cultivating the sport of mixed martial arts in China with another adrenaline-filled night of fights! This is a great way to start 2016 and is just the tip of the iceberg of what’s to come. Our success in Beijing sets the stage for an even better event in Changsha,” said ONE CEO Victor Cui.
As Tiebreaker Times broke days before the New Year, Team Lakay standout Kevin Belingon, a top contender in ONE’s stacked bantamweight division, will face Fernandes during ONE Championship’s first show for 2016 to be held in Changsha, China.
The Ifugao-based fighter last fought a year ago during ONE Championship’s Warrior’s Way card held at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. “The Silencer” was able to bounce back and take a unanimous decision victory over Japanese fighter Koetsu Okazaki (10-4-1). Currently, Belingon is 13-4 in his pro MMA career, winning four of his last six fights.
The champion though has been unstoppable in his stay with ONE Championship.
Brazilian Bibiano “The Flash” Fernandes has won all six of his bouts under the ONE banner and has successfully defended his bantamweight championship five times. Fernandes fought in Manila during Warrior’s Way as well. Fightmatrix’s #4 ranked bantamweight in the world was able to submit Korean Dae Hwan Kim in the event with a rear naked choke in the second round. Last July, the Brazilian knocked out Finnish fighter Toni Tauro (10-2-1) in Myanmar during ONE’s Kingdom of Warriors in Myanmar.
“The Flash” is currently 18-3 in his MMA career. He has not lost a bout since December 31, 2010, during K-1 Dynamite! 2010. He is riding a ten-fight winning streak, with half coming by way of finishes.
Another Filipino makes his return to the ONE cage as former boxer and Sub Sports Philippines’ Roy Doliguez faces Asuka “Riki Shibuya” Mikami in flyweight action.
Doliguez made his ONE Championship debut last May 23, 2015 as he squared off against Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke for the vacant ONE Strawweight Championship. The Filipino made a gallant stand as he survived various fouls, including a low blow and an eye poke. However, as Doliguez was making a comeback, an accidental headbutt by DSA halted the bout. DSA won via a technical decision.
Doliguez (6-2) was riding a four-fight winning streak prior to the loss. Looking to bounce back, Japanese MMA fighter Asuka “Riku Shibuya” Mikami (12-3-2) will be the first obstacle for Doliguez.
“Riku Shibuya” last fought during ONE Tigers of Asia against Eugene Toquero. The Japanese fighter outgrappled Toquero in 15 minutes of action en route to a unanimous decision victory.
The card will also include a bantamweight tournament to crown the Changsha Bantamweight champion.
ONE Championship: Dynasty of Champions is set take place on January 23 at the Changsha Stadium in Changsha, China.
