MANILA -- Kevin Belingon has successfully climbed back to the top of One Championship bantamweight contender ladder following a string of victories, the last being a second-round knockout of American Andrew Leone at One: Heroes of Honor at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay on Friday night.
And he has the reigning bantamweight champ to thank for.
“I’ve improved a lot since the first bout (against Bibiano Fernandes)," said Belingon in an interview. "He inspired me to become the martial artist I am today. Because of him, I realized what was missing in my game."
Now armed with an improved ground game, the wushu sanda practitioner has become a solid two-way fighter in MMA, although the striking game remains as his bread and butter.
He even thought he has finally reached the pinnacle of his colorful MMA career.
"With the help of my teammates and my coach, I’m at a great spot in my career now. I feel so confident in my striking, more than ever before,” Belingon continued.
With the convincing win, Belingon believes he now deserves a rematch against Fernandes for the One bantamweight belt.
"I can’t wait to show the champion how much I’ve changed and what I’ve become," Belingon continued.
While still aware that One can opt to withhold any plan for Belingon-Fernandes 2, Belingon said, "If the champion is next, I will be ready.” (PNA)
