Martin Nguyen Sees the Universe Aligning for a New Title
On Friday the 27th of July, the ONE Featherweight and Lightweight World Champion, Martin Nguyen, stepped up to a fresh chance that feels like a rare shot of cosmic luck. He’s set to face fellow Bantamweight contender Kevin “The Silencer” Belingon in Manila for the ONE Interim Bantamweight World Title.
“I Feel Like I’ve Been Kicked into a High‑Octane Show”
“Nobody gets the kind of rabbit‑hole moments this year,” Nguyen told reporters. He explained that when a fighter loses a title shot, the typical road to redemption begins with a massive 5‑fight win streak—or sometimes a 1½ to 2‑year wait. He short‑circuited that path because ONE CEO Chatri Sityodtong opened a door for him.
“I’m just grateful Chatri gave me this rewrite. I was ready to fight at lightweight but now I’m go‑in‑action for the Bantamweight belt, and I’ve got to keep this in my pocket forever.”
Beyond Legacies: The Artist in the Cage
While most headline stories paint Nguyen as a belt‑hungry machine, the fighter has a trickier agenda. “I’m not just about grab‑and‑run trophies,” he said. “It’s about building an unforgettable saga — fights against Aoki, Gafurov, Lee when I was on a tear. I want people to say, ‘He actually defended every title he ever won’.”
Nguyen’s next heavy‑hitter, Kevin “The Silencer”, is riding a 5‑fight win streak, finishing opponents like Toni Tauru and Reece McLaren, and knocking out Andrew Leone last week. Nguyen is excited: “We’re both in the same boat. We both want to replace Bibiano Fernandes on the throne, and that’s the headline the fans want.”
Team Lakay: Rivalry or Respect?
He also reflects on facing Team Lakay for the third time. While Nguyen has a 2-0 record against Mark Sangiao’s team, “The Situ-Asian” respects them immensely. “They keep evolving, so we never know what new style they’ll bring,” Nguyen noted. He recalls past fights: a ground strategy against Edward Kelly, a flow‑based approach against Eduard Folayang. The third time will be a new puzzle.
Charges with Two Banners
Being a dual‑weight champion means the weight‑sorting artillery is always on his back. Nguyen hears “calls out” beckoning him to the beach in grainy flashes. “They gotta make a name for themselves to get a seat,” he said, laughing off four recent call‑outs. He’s confident that his past first‑round knockouts, submissions, and performance nights will make him the obvious choice for any rematch!
Fellow Contenders on His Radar
Although he’ll defend the Bantamweight title first, Nguyen has an eye on the next challenges.
- Ev Ting – Nguyen sees the lightweight dance with Ev Ting as a high‑octane story worth watching.
- Shinya Aoki & Shannon Wiratchai – the names are big, but Nguyen feels Ev Ting is the right “meat” for a future bout.
- Narantungalag Jadambaa – a featherweight with a legacy appetite; Nguyen calls it “an honor to share the cage.”
Besides all that, he has a heart‑sharpened sense of humility for Kevin. “We may talk smack, but we’re respectful. The arena will be a warrior vs warrior grid.”
One Final Note
With a title on the line and a feel for both lightness vs. feather weight, Nguyen is pumped and scroll‑ready to send a new set of memories into ONE’s history books. He’ll let the fight itself decide — but one thing’s clear: the class, the charisma, and the relentless pursuit of legacy will make “Bantamweight Battle” one heck of a show.
