When you think of a rivalry in MMA you automatically think bad blood between the fighters competing. Both in each other faces, throwing insults at each other and getting under each other skin that it hits boiling point with them. The Rivalry between Bibano Fernandes and Kevin Belingon is not that. These two fighters will fight for a Fourth time at ONE:Century and will put to rest one of the greatest Rivalries in MMA history. The only thing that is between these two is the ONE Bantamweight title. No beef, No trash talk is needed for this. All these two fighters want is to show the world, who is the best Bantamweight in the world and take home the title. Now, How did we get to this point? Let me explain This historic Rivalry to You.
The First Encounter
Bibiano Fernandes is regarded as one of the Best Bantamweight's in the World. He successfully defended his title 7 times and was undefeated since his debut in ONE back in 2012. The first time Bibano and Kevin fought each other was back in 2016 at ONE:Dynasty Of Champions. It was a very short fight with Bibiano winning by Submission in the very first round. This fight sparked sometimes in Belingon, he wanted the title more now then ever and after such a dominant performance from Bibano, Belingon was determined to get back on the road to gold.
Fortune Change at Heart Of The Lion
Two years had passed since the last time Bibano Fernandes and Kevin Belingon fought, but so much has changed since that first fight. Belingon would go onto a six fight win streak, including winning the Interim BW title in the process. Bibano was still undefeated and defended his title 3 times since their last fight. So it was set up again, this time to unify the BW title. The rematch we where all waiting for, alot more on the line this time around. The Stage was set at ONE; Heart Of The Lion.
The second fight was completed different from the first as Belingon Immediately started pressuring Bibano from the opening bell with spin kicks and a relentlessly attack on the mid-section. At times Bibiano looked flustered and had no answers to the shots. Belingon showed Massive improvement in his wrestling, as he escaped many submission attempts from Bibiano and stuffed his takedowns. At this point Belingon was on fire and putting on the performance of his life constantly attacking Bibiano and even knocking him down at one point in the fight. It was a landslide beatdown, as both men went the full 25 mins. Kevin Belingon not only won the fight, he unified the titles and also handing Bibiano his first pro loss in years. Kevin Belingon was the new King of the Bantamweight's.
Third time's A charm... unfortunately not
In what started as a simple title defence for Bibiano in 2016 has now turned into the greatest Rivalry in MMA history. Not even a year after losing his title, it was announced that a third and final fight between Bibiano Fernandes and Kevin Belingon would take place at ONE: A New Era. These two men will fight one last time to determine the official Champion of the Bantamweight's. At ONE: A New Era both men entered the fight looking to walk away with the title, one did, just not how he wanted.
In the third round of the fight Belingon landed several illegal elbows to the back of Bibiano's head, Bibiano was given time to recover by the referee but it seemed Bibiano was dazed by the elbows and also wasnt really moving once the fight was called to a stop. Once the ref seen that Bibiano could not continue and that time passed, it was unfortunate, but the referee disqualified Belingon and Bibiano was rewarded not only the win but also his title back. Not the way either fighter wanted to end the fight and their trilogy. With confusion and angry from both sides. It was announced immediately after that Both Bibiano and Kevin will have to compete again for the title.
Now we are about to witness what was meant to be just a Trilogy fight has extended into one final showdown between two of the best Bantamweight's in the world.
This weekend at ONE:Century part 2 we will finally see the door close in one of the greatest Rivalries in all of MMA.
Please check out all three fights between Bibiano Fernandes and Kevin Belingon. We will be talking about this Rivalry in years to come.
Marc Meepmma/52ndmma
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