TEAM Lakay's Kevin Belingon gets another crack at the world title as he headlines ONE Championship's "Reign of Kings" set at the Mall of Asia Arena on July 27.
Belingon will battle a familiar foe in Martin Nguyen, the reigning ONE lightweight and featherweight champion.
In addition, two blockbuster bouts featuring rising Thai superstar Shannon Wiratchai makes his way to Manila to face former ONE lightweight world champion Shinya Aoki, while the legendary Renzo Gracie returns to action in his final farewell match to face veteran Yuki Kondo.
"With reigning bantamweight king Bibiano Fernandes not available until later this year due to injury, Belingon and Nguyen will square off for the interim bantamweight world Championship. It's a great match-up between two heavy-handed power punchers, and one that will surely leave fans at the edge of their seats," Chatri Sityodtong, chairman and CEO of ONE Championship said.
Belingon earned the title shot after winning his last five bouts including a second round stoppage of Andrew Leone in April this year, also at the MOA Arena since losing to bantamweight champion Fernandes in 2016.
"As one of the top bantamweights, I am willing to take on all comers. It doesn't matter to me who is the opponent. In fact, I am honored to face Martin Nguyen, a two-division world champion. If I can beat Martin, it would be huge. This is a great position I am in, and I am excited for this bout. It will be action-packed, for sure," said Belingon.
With a professional record of 18-5, the Filipino wushu champion and former world title challenger is known as a fierce competitor with the ability to finish opponents in a variety of methods.
The 30-year-old wushu stalwart owns eight huge knockouts on his resume, and is one of the most feared strikers in ONE Championship's deep bantamweight division.
Nguyen on the other hand is one of the most highly-regarded martial arts world champions. With an impressive 11-2 professional record, which includes three submissions and seven knockouts, Nguyen's well-around skill set allows him to perform at the highest level of competition.
In November of 2017, Nguyen scored a scintillating knockout victory over the Philippines' Eduard Folayang to become the first man in the history of ONE Championship to hold two world titles simultaneously in different weight divisions, reigning as both ONE featherweight & lightweight world champion.
In his last bout, the 29-year-old came away with a close split decision against rising star Christian Lee in a successful defense of his featherweight world title. (Roderick Osis)