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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Team Lakay's Belingon enters 'dangerous' Circle against former UFC fighter

Team Lakay's Belingon enters 'dangerous' Circle against former UFC fighter

Published Nov 9, 2020 06:47 pm
Kevin Belingon (Photo from ONE Championship)

Team Lakay's bantamweight contender Kevin Belingon is about to engage in one of his "dangerous" fights in the Circle.

Currently the No. 1 bantamweight in ONE Championship, Belingon faces former UFC fighter and the division's No. 5 John Lineker of Brazil in the main event of  ONE: Inside the Matrix III at the Singapore Indoor Stadium Friday.

“John Lineker is one of the toughest fighters I will ever face," said the former world bantamweight champion. "He’s not an opponent to be taken lightly. He’s got a lot of experience, and a lot of power in his hands, which is why he is known to end fights early."

Lineker, the man with the "Hands of Stone," had a successful ONE Championship debut with a unanimous decision win over Muin Gafurov of Tajikistan. 

The 30-year-old Brazilian, who holds a 32-9 record, went 12-4 in the UFC highlighted by three knockouts, three technical knockouts and a submission.

Knowing Lineker's background, Belingon, who has a 20-7 slate, had prepared for a game plan fit for the Brazilian's fighting style in the hopes of getting another title shot after two straight defeats over Bibiano Fernandes of Brazil last year.

The Team Lakay veteran also had his fair share of great victories in the promotion, boasting a seven-match streak from 2016 to 2018 with a pair of TKOs and one KO.

In that span, "The Silencer" bagged the interim bantamweight belt after a unanimous decision victory over Martin Nguyen in July 2018 and eventually won the official title four months later by defeating Fernandes via split decision.

“You all know how I fight, I fight moving forward. So this is going to be a very exciting matchup," said Belingon. "I don’t think this is going the distance, with the way we both attack. I want to put on a good show for the fans."

“I’ve prepared the same way, just like I have prepared for my previous fights. I never underestimate any of my opponents. That’s not a good thing to do inside the Circle. Every fight is dangerous.”

Aside from Belingon, stablemates Geje Eustaquio and Lito Adiwang are set to fight in the same card. 

Eustaquio takes on Korean Song Min Jong in the catchweight division for the co-main event while Adiwang opens the fight night against Japanese fighter Hiroba Minowa in the strawweight bout.

Related Tags

Geje Eustaquio Kevin Belingon John Lineker Bibiano Fernandez ONE: Into the Matrix III Team Lakay Lito Adiwang ONE Championship
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