Streaking Kevin Belingon vows to stop Martin Nguyen

MANILA, Philippines — Team Lakay’s Kevin “The Silencer” Belingon sets out to achieve a milestone and spoil Martin Nguyen’s historic bid to become a three-division champion as they dispute the One Interim Bantamweight World title in the One: Reign of Kings card on Friday at the MOA Arena.

Belingon, who’s riding a five-fight winning streak, including a cracking TKO of American Andrew Leone last April, looks to validate his status as an elite Pinoy mixed martial artist in the main event of the promotion stacked with explosive matchups of world-class fighters.

Former ONE lightweight titlist Shinya Aoki of Japan and Shannon Wiratchai of Thailand mix it up in the co-mainer at lightweight while Renzo Gracie of Brazil and Yuki Kondo face off in a battle of legends and Phl star Eduard Folayang eyes redemption in front of local fans against unbeaten Aziz Pahrudinov of Russia.

“It’s an honor to fight Martin Nguyen,” Belingon said during the presscon for his showdown with Nguyen, the current lightweight and featherweight kingpin who wants to add a third belt.

“I know that he’s a tough athlete but I’m a good athlete, too, so it’s going to be a good athlete versus a good athlete. I’m going to be the better athlete this Friday,” added the pride of Ifugao who’s aiming to be the latest Pinoy champ after Honorio Banario, Folayang, and reigning holders Brandon Vera and Geje Eustaquio.

Vietnamese-Australian Nguyen said he’s taking an “all-or-nothing” approach in this quest to get Belt No. 3.