Team Lakay head coach Mark Sangiao believes that former ONE Bantamweight World Champion Kevin “The Silencer” Belingon does not need further motivation entering another chapter in his rivalry with ONE Bantamweight World Champion Bibiano Fernandes.
All he has to do is look across the Circle.
Belingon will try to reclaim his bantamweight throne when he takes on Fernandes in the promotion’s 100th event, ONE: Century, which emanates from the Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo, Japan on October 13.
This will be the fourth showdown between two of the biggest names in the organization. Their last encounter ended in a disqualification after Belingon landed illegal elbows to the back of Fernandes’ head in the third round last March at ONE: A New Era.
Eager to move forward from that disappointing outcome, Belingon wants nothing more than to end the chapter his way, and Sangiao can definitely see that.
“He’s really excited for this match. He’s been waiting for this moment for a long time. Kevin and Bibiano have a long story – Kevin wants to close this book already,” Sangiao said.
“Kevin will show the world that he’s the real champion. His eagerness to prove that will be the biggest factor for him in becoming a World Champion.”
Since it wasn’t too long ago that they last met, Sangiao shared that there would be few adjustments for Belingon this time.
After sharing 13 rounds with the Brazilian in the past, Sangiao noted that this match will boil down to preparation and who wants it more. And the 39-year-old coach has no doubts on his mind about Belingon’s willingness to win.
“It’s all about winning clear and clean. A defined win, so that we can all put the stories to rest. That’s going to be our main adjustment this time,” Sangiao shared.
Despite the magnitude of the match, Sangiao reveals that it is just another day in the office for Belingon and his team.
“I know that there is a lot at stake in this match and it’s highly anticipated but for us, every fight is the biggest. We don’t want to make it a habit that we’ll prepare for matches just because it’s big,” Sangiao said.
“All fights, big, small, we’ll have to prepare for it well – regardless if we’ve faced them before already.”
