Team Lakay’s Belingon enters ‘dangerous’ circle against former UFC fighter

Team Lakay bantamweight contender Kevin Belingon is about to get into one of his “dangerous” fights at the Circle.

Currently the No. 1 bantamweight in the ONE Championship, Belingon faces former UFC fighter and division No. 5 John Lineker of Brazil in the main event of ONE: Inside the Matrix III at Singapore Indoor Stadium on Friday. .

“John Lineker is one of the toughest fighters I will ever face,” said the former world bantamweight champion. “He is not an opponent to be taken lightly. He has a lot of experience and a lot of power in his hands, which is why he is known for ending fights early. “

Lineker, the man with the “Hands of Stone”, made a successful ONE Championship debut with a unanimous decision victory over Muin Gafurov of Tajikistan.

The 30-year-old Brazilian, who has a 32-9 record, was 12-4 in the UFC featured with three knockouts, three technical knockouts and a submission.

Knowing Lineker’s background, Belingon, who has a 20-7 scoreboard, had prepared himself for a game plan that fit the Brazilian’s fighting style in hopes of getting another title shot after two straight losses over Bibiano Fernandes from Brazil last year.

The Team Lakay veteran also had his fair share of big wins in the promotion, riding a seven-game streak from 2016 to 2018 with a pair of TKOs and a KO.

In that span, “The Silencer” took the interim bantamweight belt after a unanimous decision victory over Martin Nguyen in July 2018 and finally won the official title four months later by defeating Fernandes by split decision.

“Everybody knows how I fight, I fight moving forward. So this is going to be a very exciting matchup, ”Belingon said. “I don’t think this goes the distance, with the way we both attack. I want to put on a good show for the fans. “

“I prepared in the same way, just like I prepared for my previous fights. I never underestimate any of my opponents. That is not a good thing to do inside the Circle. Every fight is dangerous. “

Aside from Belingon, stablemates Geje Eustaquio and Lito Adiwang are ready to fight on the same card.

Eustace takes on Korean Song Min Jong in the middleweight division for the co-main event, while Adiwang opens fight night against Japanese fighter Hiroba Minowa in the strawweight match.