Former ONE Bantamweight MMA World Champion Kevin “The Silencer” Belingon is ready for his comeback but also wants to settle a long-standing score.
Belingon and his bitter rival in former longtime ONE Bantamweight MMA World Champion Bibiano “The Flash” Fernandes will go at it for the fifth time at ONE 171: Qatar inside Lusail Sports Arena in Doha on February 20, 2025.
It’s been quite some time since fans last saw the Lions Nation MMA representative in the ring or Circle. But he assured fans that he wasn’t merely resting during his time off.
“I’ve waited a long time for my return and my excitement can’t be measured,” Belingon said.
“Rest assured, I have been working on my game in my time away. I’m gonna come out ready and entertain our fans, especially the Filipino fans in Qatar.”
Belingon’s got a lot of catching up to do against Fernandes. After all, he’s currently down in their series 1-3. But many feel that this could’ve been dead even after a highly debated disqualification loss in 2019.
For Belingon, it doesn’t matter how the rivalry started. What matters is how it’s going to end.
“I have unfinished business with Bibiano. We have history together and I want to end our story with me on top,” he said.
Belingon will join his teammate in ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion Joshua Pacio on that night. There, he faces interim king Jarred Brooks in the co-main event of the evening.
Headlining the show will be ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Champion Jonathan Haggerty, who defends his strap against red-hot challenger Wei Rui.
A pair of thrilling MMA bouts were also announced, as Croatian heavy hitter Roberto Soldic takes on Dagi Arslanaliev in a fight that could also potentially steal the show.
Also announced is the featherweight clash between two of the best in the weightclass. The #3-ranked Shamil Gasanov battles the fourth-ranked and former two-division MMA titleholder Martin Nguyen.
“We are headed back to Qatar for what will be one of the biggest fight cards of 2025. Three more incredible matchups have been added, highlighted by the return of Roberto Soldic. He will take on tough Turkish opponent Dagi Arslanaliev in a pivotal welterweight MMA clash,” ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong said.
“Fans will also get to witness the fifth showdown between Bibiano Fernandes and Kevin Belingon, in what is one of the greatest rivalries in ONE Championship history,” he added.
“Then, surging Russian featherweight MMA contender Shamil Gasanov will look to extend his winning streak by taking out former two-division MMA World Champion Martin Nguyen. You don’t want to miss what goes down at Lusail Sports Arena next February.”
