Going into ONE: Heroes of Honor, the main event bout pitting Kevin Belingon and Andrew Leone was billed as a title eliminator bout for the ONE Bantamweight World Championship.
The Ifugao was heading into the bout loaded with a four-fight winning streak while his American opponent won three of his last four bouts. Both of their recent losses came at the hands of Bantamweight kingpin Bibiano Fernanes.
Something had to give.
Friday night, the 30-year-old warrior from Team Lakay came out with guns blazing, throwing quick power shots to stun Leone right from the get go.
“Well, sa akin lang talagang pinaghandaan ko yung laban na yun para sa kahit anong anggulo malabanan ko siya,” recalled Belingon as he busted Leone wide open right in the very first round.
The second round was just as violent. Belingon fired off a spinning side kick that blasted Leone accross the ring. A barrage of short elbows and high-angled knees forced the stoppage a minute and 26 seconds into the round.
“Sa akin, suntok lang ako ng suntok at siko ng siko. Hinihintay ko lang yung referee i-stop yung laban. Pagkakita ko ng dugo, sabi ko ito na yun at i-stop na nung referee. Kaso nung end of first round, parang maganda pa rin yung depensa niya at napunta sa second round,” he furthered.
“Nung nagka-opportunity ako, binato ko yung side kick at di ko na tinigilan sa tuhod at siko hanggang sa i-stop.”
Though Belingon, who now owns an 18-5 record, stressed that he is not thinking about a title shot during the bout, it’s safe to assume that he wanted it. His last loss came last January 23, 2016 during his first shot at Fernandes.
This time around, he knows he is ready to take the crown.
“Sa gym repetition lang, especially yung basics. Parang preparation na rin ito sa title shot kung sakali,” Belingon quipped.
“Pero siyempre, hinihintay natin yung decision ng ONE. Back to training muna at hintay ng decision ng ONE.”
