The Silencer’s Road to Redemption
A Filipino fighter on a mission to dethrone his nemesis
Regrouping in Manila, Filipino star Kevin “The Silencer” Belingon is all set to clash again with the last man who stole his title – ONE Bantamweight World Champion Bibiano “The Flash” Fernandes – at the next ONE event, HEART OF THE LION in Singapore.
More importantly, the 31‑year‑old interim champ claims he’s now mental‑ly and physically in a better spot to roll up that fight for a second time.
The comeback trail
The highlight‑reel of those wins came in April 2018 at ONE: HEROES OF HONOR, when he brought home a victory over the all‑American Andrew Leone. This fight is the turning point that convinced Silencer he was ready for the top prize again.
The 2018 showdown that set the tone
| What went down | Silencer’s take |
|---|---|
| Nervousness? | “I didn’t let the nerves crush me. I was all calm, focus‑locked, like it was just me and Leone.” |
| First round | “The moment I hit him, his grunts echoed. I knew I had to keep hitting it.” |
| Strategy | “Takedown defence, footwork, keeping the fight standing – that’s how I did it.” |
| Punches | “I pushed hard; his body didn’t die – only a warrior. He was solid.” |
| Crowd | “The cheers poured, big feel, I couldn’t miss! Felt amazing.” |
| Takedown | “I landed one, but mostly he fought back – something I respect.” |
| Finishing move | “A spinning back‑kick, pinpoint, knocked him off a limb, followed by ground strikes that sealed it.” |
Key takeaways
The mindset and the future
“This win shows what I can do, showcases skills worldwide. The crowd roared, it’s unforgettable.”“I’m ready to put on a show for my team, family, and my country. Let’s see what happens.”Silencer aims to prove that the spectacular display in Manila wasn’t a fluke. He’s back, feeling his best, and brute‑force ready to exploit every skill to finally claim the ONE Bantamweight World Championship.