Team Lakay bantamweight star Stephen Loman wants to take on former ONE champion Bibiano Fernandes in the hopes of getting a crack on the belt.
"I’m more than 100 percent ready to fight for the title if they offer me the fight. I will pour my everything into it," said Loman, who had two huge wins in ONE Championship since his promotional debut last December 2021.
"This is my grail, to be the next titleholder, and following the footsteps of my seniors who became world champions in their division."
Loman last saw action last March with a unanimous decision win against Shoko Sato to improve at the No. 3 spot in the rankings.
The Team Lakay stalwart easily made a name for himself in ONE and barged into the Top 5 after knocking out former No. 3 contender Yusup Saadulaev.
Loman, however, isn't about to underestimate Fernandes despite losing the belt to reigning world champion John Lineker.
"I don’t think so. He’s still the champion Bibiano that we know," added Loman, who holds a 15-2 record. "He still has that striking and wrestling prowess, that superb control over his opponent on the ground and submission maneuvers. He didn’t rust at all."
Aside from Fernandes though, second-seeded fighter Kwon Won Il and fourth-ranked Fabricio Andrade also joined the fray in the bantamweight.
Last June 3, Andrade stopped Kwon to remain unbeaten in the promotion with an overall 8-2 slate.
Loman's teammate Kevin Belingon, also a former champion, is currently the No. 5 contender.
While waiting for ONE's next call, the 30-year-old Loman already declined to face his senior Belingon.
"We’re on the same team, same family. It’s a no for me," said Loman. ###
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Jan Carlo Anolin
Writer, Manila Bulletin Sports
UST Journalism 2018
PH