By Robbie Pangilinan
Filipino Mixed Martial Artist Kevin “The Silencer” Belingon of Team Lakay left 15,000 fans astonished when he beat Andrew Leone of the United States via round 2 TKO at the ONE: HEROES OF HONOR event at the Mall of Asia Arena on April 20.
Belingon was keen on winning as he looks forward to a rematch with Bibiano Fernandez, who beat him in his first attempt to snatch a title in 2016. After five straight impressive wins, Belingon says he is a different fighter now.
“I feel great. I was just waiting for the right time and opportunity,” said Belingon.
Other Filipinos secured victories as well. Gina Iniong of Team Lakay claimed a unanimous decision victory over former world title contender Jenny Huang while former ONE Featherweight World Champion Honorio “The Rock” Banario earned a split decision against Adrian Pang at the lightweight division.
In the first ONE Super Series bout of the evening, Regian Eersel won via unanimous decision over Brad Riddell in a three-round kickboxing contest while Indonesia’s Adrian Mattheis dominated China’s Lan Ming Qiang in a unanimous decision.
In other matches, international kickboxing superstar Giorgio “The Doctor” Petrosyan’s ONE Championship debut was a success as he defeated former Lion Fight World Champion “Smokin’” Jo Nattawut of Thailand via unanimous decision.
An action-packed Muay Thai showdown ended up in a unanimous decision victory of legendary Nong-O Gaiyanghadao of Thailand against former two-time WBC Muay Thai World Champion Fabio Pinca of Lyon, France.
In a first-round submission victory, former ONE Featherweight World Champion Marat “Cobra” Gafurov defeated American featherweight contender Emilio Urrutia; while former world title challenger Dae Hwan Kim beat Japanese legend Masakazu Imanari by unanimous decision.
Another ONE Super Series debut saw Cosmo Alexandre defeating Elliot Compton in a Muay Thai clash by way of second round knockout. On the other hand, ONE Championship debutant Akihiro “Superjap” Fujisawa won by submission against fellow debutante Kaji “Alpha” Ebin who suffered a dislocated shoulder.