Kevin Belingon stops Andrew Leone in second round

MANILA, Philippines — Filipino striking specialist Kevin Belingon declared his readiness for another crack at the crown as he stopped American Andrew Leone in two rounds in the main event of ONE Championship: Heroes of Honor before a roaring crowd at the MOA Arena Friday night.

Belingon battered and bloodied Leone with a flurry of cracking combo in the first round and continued this fiery assault in the second, delivering a ferocious spinning kick that sent the American down and followed it up with a searing ground-and-pound to complete the job.

With the emphatic TKO, the Team Lakay stalwart streaked to five straight wins and cemented his status as the top contender for the ONE bantam crown held by Bibiano Fernandes. 

“Ready tayo sa title shot kung sakali (I’m ready for the title shot if given the chance),” said the 30-year-old Belingon (18-5), who previously challenged Fernandes but fell short. “Kailangan lang mag-improve pa lalo na sa ground (Still need to improve more and work on my ground game, though).”

Belingon engaged Leone from the opening bell and when the Bali-based American attempted a takedown, the Baguio City defended well and squeezed out of trouble and continued his onslaught.

“Talagang pinaghandaan ko ang laban para kahit saang anggulo sa ring malabanan ko siya. Na-feel ko na kaya ko siya, tinakedown ko, siko, tuhod, hanggang stop ng referee. Confident ako na makalaban ng ground sa kanya (I prepared hard for this so I can fight him standing up or on the ground. When I saw the opportunity, I took him down, uncorked elbow and knee shots until the referee stopped it),” he said.

Belingon’s feat completed a sweep for the famous Team Lakay stable as Honorio Banario and Gina Iniong emerged victorious in the undercards.

Lightweight prospect Banario defeated Australian Adrian Pang via split decision while Iniong outpointed Taiwanese Jenny Huang in their women’s atomweight.

Legendary Italian kickboxer Giorgio Petrosyan beat Thai Smokin Jo Wattawut via unanimous verdict in the mainer watched by IBF junior bantamweight king Jerwin Ancajas.