It’s simple to argue that Bibiano constructed the ONE Championship bantamweight MMA division. A former champion, who defended the belt a file instances – the person who ended that run in 2018? Kevin Belingon. And we discover ourselves right here at the moment
“Kevin is a tricky dude,” mentioned Bibiano. “He’s explosive, and really harmful. He has good energy. He’s been in ONE Championship for a very long time as nicely. We’ve each been there for a very long time. When Chatri requested me if I wished to battle Kevin, I mentioned yeah, let’s do it. And that’s it. I’m right here now.”
The Brazilian, now 44, seems to be again fondly on their earlier encounters and is aware of simply how a lot of an influence that they had on ONE’s bantamweight division.
“Let me put it this fashion,” he mentioned. “The opposite day, I used to be watching a battle between me and Kevin. I used to be watching that on Fb, it simply confirmed up and mentioned it had 29 million views. That battle was watched 29 million instances.”
The place as soon as he noticed titles and matches, now Bibiano is focussed on the larger image – and what comes subsequent in what has been an interesting life story.
“Earlier than, I solely had combating. Now, I’ve my faculty. I’ve a number of college students. I’ve lots of people to take care of. I’ve my complete household, my youngsters. I really feel like I’ve to place my vitality into one thing greater.
“Bibiano the fighter is only a small [part of my life]. However now, one thing greater has come. For me, meaning I’ve a number of college students, lots of people to take care of. I’ve my household in Brazil. Typically in life, you must make choices. And at this level in my life, I feel it’s the appropriate approach to [end my MMA career] and transfer ahead.”
Filipino Belingon, has not solely been out of the cage for quite a few years, however can also be coming off 5 consecutive losses, however the prospect of dealing with his long-time rival nonetheless fills him with the vitality and can to win he had when claiming the title.
“I do know it’s been practically two years since I final competed, however I’m alright,” he mentioned. “When the battle was supplied, in fact I used to be stunned. I by no means anticipated to battle him once more. However then I assumed, I’ll get the prospect to settle the rating so I’m really excited. I really feel blessed to nonetheless compete in ONE Championship.”
Even on the age of 37, Belingon feels he’s nonetheless growing as a fighter, and can convey one thing new to the desk when the 2 face off on the Lusail Area at ONE 171: Qatar.
“The previous two years, I’ve simply been targeted on my Brazilian Jiu Jitsu underneath professor Gibran Langbayan,” he defined. “I’ve been working exhausting on my jiu-jitsu, I’ve joined and gained tournaments in my time away from MMA.
“I don’t know if there’s anyone factor that’ll shock me towards Bibiano, however I’ll definitely be seeking to be the one stunning him on this bout.”
And whereas the division has moved on with a slew of top-class fighters, Belingon nonetheless believes he has one thing to supply in these higher echelons.
“That is positively my final probability towards Bibiano so I’ll definitely do every thing to get this win and even the rating.
“What I wish to show is that I’m not completed. I’m nonetheless sturdy, I can nonetheless work exhausting, I can nonetheless battle. I wish to present on this battle that I’ve improved on this battle.
“I nonetheless really feel like I belong with the very best of this division. I consider that I’m nonetheless fast sufficient, I’m sturdy sufficient and I can cling round and go toe to toe with the very best fighters on this division, the youthful fighters on this division.”
You possibly can watch Bibiano Fernandes and Kevin Belingon collide at ONE 171: Qatar, which takes place on Thursday February twentieth at 5pm Mecca on the Lusail Sports activities Area in Qatar. For ticket info, click on right here. Alternatively, you’ll be able to watch the occasion dwell on BeIn Sports activities or at watch.onefc.com.