ONE Reign of Kings Q&A w/ Martin Nguyen and Kevin Belingon ft. Dylan Bowker

ONE returns to Mall of Asia Arena and Manila will witness arguably the promotion’s biggest card of the year. Topping this marquee event is a title bout of tremendous importance. Concurrent two division titlist Martin Nguyen is vying for an unprecedented third ONE Championship belt in the main event. Also in the interim Bantamweight title fight is Kevin Belingon who is riding a five fight win streak and is ONE Championship’s irrefutable number one contender at 135lbs.

Both men have fought undisputed Bantamweight titlist Bibiano Fernandes with both coming out on the losing end of things. There is an extra layer of motivation to secure that rematch with Bibiano and avenge a loss in addition to the esteem of being ONE’s undisputed Bantamweight champion. Dylan Bowker was able to catch up with both combatants ahead of their high consequence main event title clash.

I like to take each bouts as it comes. I see Kevin as a complete mixed martial artist and think he has shown in his last 5 fights that he’s ready to become a World Champion. Whether July 27th is his night or not well just have to wait and see.

In that fight, after watching it I seen myself holding back in so many situations even after I hurt him… also I was too one dimensional which he later on during the rounds figured out. Next time round Bibiano won’t be able to keep up with me, regardless on the feet or ground.

Yes, a finish is what myself and my team want. Nothing else. In this bout you’ll hopefully see a new reborn Situasian.

At the end of the days its all about legacy for me. Regardless of results, I just want to fight the best guys and have the most exciting bouts where everyone would still be talking about it in years to come.

I feel that I have somewhat a good sense of what is to come in terms of fighting style. Coach Mark has been doing an awesome job in transforming these one dimension strikers into complete martial artists. Im sure this bout with kevin will definitely be exciting.

Kevin Belingon:

–The ultimate goal seems to be getting a Bibiano Fernandes rematch…….What have you learned since that bout that will ensure a different outcome if a rematch materializes?

I have worked extensively on my grappling, as has the entire Team Lakay. Most particularly, I’ve improved my submission and takedown defense. We drill constantly, every single day, because we know which area our skills are lacking. That’s why you have seen a great improvement in Team Lakay’s grappling, because we have placed focus on this area and now you are starting to see the results. For me, improved defense in this area means my striking has been emphasized a little more. I have more confidence now.

–Have fought some of the top names in the ONE 135lb division. Do you feel your experience in the weight class coupled with your speed will be the difference makers against Nguyen?

Exactly. I believe my biggest advantage over Martin Nguyen coming into this contest is my speed. As for power, I think we are on equal footing. You can’t sleep on Martin’s power because it has been responsible for so many knockouts. Everyone knows he has a tremendous right hand, and I’m not invincible. I get hit by that and it can be lights out. But the same goes for him, if I hit him cleanly, I can stop him. I think it all comes down to who gets there first, and I believe I am much faster than he is.

–How important is it for you to become the fifth Filipino champion in ONE history?

Being a world champion is a lifelong dream which I’ve had since I was a kid. Becoming champion means I can proudly wear the belt around my waist and represent my country. Most of all, it will serve as an inspiration to all the people in the Philippines. I’ve been witness to my two teammates, Eduard Folayang and Honorio Banario, winning world titles. As champions, they used their position to help the youth, to help the less fortunate. I would like to do the same, which is why this next bout is so important to me and I am laser focused.

–Riding a five fight win streak heading into a bout with a multi -division champion in ONE……Do you place particular importance on this fight since you’re fighting a two division champion or is a win over him just like any other victory?

As for the fight, I will go in there and take care of business. We have come up with a great game plan to handle whatever situation I find myself in. If I beat Martin though, it’s like I myself am a two-division world champion. It’s a huge feat. There’s a lot of pressure to perform, and I can definitely feel that pressure from where I stand, but I will use this energy to fuel my drive to victory.

–How important is it to represent Team Lakay well in your performances?

Team Lakay is the best team in the world, because we aren’t just a team working on our martial arts skills. Team Lakay is like a family. We genuinely care for one another. My victories are their victories, the same with defeats. When Eduard lost his title to Martin last year, we all felt it. It hit us very hard. But we all learned from it as well. We learn and grow together, and today, we are better martial artists because of it. Stepping into that cage, I represent Team Lakay to the best of my ability each and every time.

–Third Team Lakay member to fight Nguyen…..Anything your training partners have imparted on you since they’ve been in the cage with your opponent?

They have shared their experiences and observations, and both of them have been very helpful. It’s great to have amazing teammates. But my fighting style is different from theirs. I rely on my speed and physicality a lot more. I can confidently say that right now, I’m in the best shape of my career. I can’t wait to show that to everyone on fight night.