Belingon undeterred by long wait for title shot vs Fernandes

MANILA, Philippines — When Kevin Belingon easily took care of Reece McLaren a couple of months back, he thought he had convinced ONE Championship that he is deserving of another crack at Bibiano Fernandes’ Bantamweight strap.

But that wasn’t the case.

The Team Lakay ward still has to face Kevin Chung — and who knows how many more —to earn that dance with Fernandes.

But Belingon is not really bothered by the delay. Not one bit.

“Pagkapanalo ko kay Reece, ‘yun na ‘yung inisip ko — na ibibigay na yung title shot,” he admitted.

“Ang importante, yung manalo dito…yun naman yung importante,” he continued. “Tapos ‘yung championship fight, parating na ‘yun. Hopefully.”

The 30-year-old, since failing to takedown Fernandes in a title clash in January 2016, has been collecting wins. And as if that isn’t a point compelling enough, those three wins came at the expense of equally compelling fighters: Muin Gafurov in October 2016, Toni Tauru last April and then McLaren just this August.

While he is aware he has to extend his wait a bit more, Belingon shared that it hasn’t put a dent to his morale.

“Hindi naman nagbabago (‘yung level ng morale), kasi basta andyan yung belt, ‘yun yung goal ko eh. Pag nakikita ko ‘yung belt, namomotivate pa ako,” he said.

“Basta sakin, basta manalo lang ng manalo, darating din yun — yung opportunity na lalaban sa title shot,” he continued.

The 16-5-0 striker will try to breeze past newcomer Chung when they tangle in the undercard of Legends of the World this Friday night at the MOA Arena. 

“Readyng ready na ako. Talagang tinutukan ko dito (kay Chung) ‘yung ground kasi doon siya magaling eh,” Belingon said.

Asked if he looks to finish Chung swiftly like Tauru and McLaren, the soft-spoken Filipino said yes — with a hint of caution.

“‘Yun naman hinahanap ko sa laban pero hihintain ko parin ‘yung opportunity na dumating,” he said. “Tapos yun, iga-grab ko kung darating.” 

“Pero ‘yun ‘yung gameplan ko: pipilitin kong tapusin agad yung kalaban,” he closed.