Kevin Belingon Snaps Bibiano Fernandes’ Eight-Year Winning Streak at ONE: Heart of the Lion

Bibiano Fernandes’ eight-year, 14-fight winning streak is over. Kevin Belingon beat the Brazilian by split decision at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on Friday to become the undisputed ONE Championship bantamweight king.

The ONE: Battle of the Lion headliner probably hinged on a moment at the end of the fourth round when Belingon dropped Fernandes with a straight right hand. Up until that point in the fight, the action had ebbed and flowed with both men enjoying periods of superiority.

The Filipino shrugged off Fernandes’ early takedown attempts and looked sharp in the opening exchanges. When the Brazilian finally succeeded in ducking under a punch and putting him down, he was unable to capitalize with any effective offense.

Instead, Belingon reversed the position and sprung to his feet where he scored with spinning back kicks to the body and head. In the second stanza, Fernandes put Belingon on his back again. He tried to move from half guard into mount, but left an opening and the Filipino saw his opportunity and slipped out.

Fernandes had Belingon down again towards the end of the round and succeeded in taking his back before transitioning to an armbar. He tried the same submission twice, but the Filipino slipped out both times and on the second occasion found himself in top position.

From there, he attacked with hard punches to the head and midsection of his opponent. It seemed Belingon might be on the verge of finishing the fight with ground and pound, but Fernandes was able to hold him off just enough to survive the round.

This article first appeared at News – MMAWeekly.com