“Silencer” Kevin Belingon Bounces Back to the Top
Kevin “The Silencer” Belingon, the Filipino interim bantamweight champ, has a new chapter in his mixed‑martial‑arts story. After a 2016 title loss to Brazil’s Bibiano Fernandes, he almost let that defeat cut his career short. But fate had a different script.
Lesson from the Loss
When the 31‑year‑old barred out his first fight against Bibiano, he thought his striking would bite. “I was confident I’d land a clean punch, but it didn’t happen,” he recalls. “His grappling and defense were higher than I expected. It was a wake‑up call.”
Standing in front of a Brazilian‑Jiu‑Jitsu black belt, Kevin realized: “I didn’t know what that meant.” That moment set him on a new mission—tighten his grappling skills, or accept defeat.
Grappling‑Upgrades at Team Lakay
Kevin hit the gym at Team Lakay with a single purpose: become more rounded. The effort paid off faster than anyone guessed.
- Reclaimed the ring by beating Muin Gafurov.
- In 2017, knocked out Toni Tauru and Reece McLaren, and outpointed Kevin Chung.
- Stuns André Leone with a stoppage in April.
- Captures the interim title by out‑punching world champ Martin Nguyen in July.
With six straight wins—including a nodding victory over a double world champion—he earns a rightful rematch with Bibiano.
Countdown to the Rematch
The headline is ONE: HEART OF THE LION in Singapore on 9 November. “Finally, the rematch is happening. I’ve improved a lot since the first bout,” Kevin says. “The biggest shift? My grappling.”
He adds, “Upgrading that part of my game makes me a better striker. Now I can unleash strikes with confidence.”
Two‑Year Rebuild, One‑Shot Destination
Kevin’s journey back to title contention was no sprint. Two years, each filled with grappling drills, sparring, and a close‑knit squad, brought him to a better, tougher fighter.
He’s targeted the rematch as a years‑long focus: “Bibiano is still a dangerous black belt. I must be cautious, but this time, I’ll be the one who moves the tempo, fighting with fury.”
“If he wants to get close, he’s going to have to walk through fire,” he says with a grin. “I’m not just going to sit there. I will connect and finish.”
With the clock ticking, the 31‑year‑old shoots forward, ready to silence Bibiano again, proving that a setback can spark a comeback.
