Belingon, Banario to compete at ONE FC: Warrior’s Way

MANILA, Philippines – Team Lakay, the most renowned mixed martial arts (MMA) group in the Philippines, will be parading two of its top combatants at ONE FC: Warrior’s Way on Friday, December 5.

Kevin Belingon squares off with Japan’s Koetsu Okazaki in a three-round bantamweight tussle, while Honorio Banario faces featherweight prospect Herbert Burns.

Belingon (12-4) is coming off a first-round submission loss to Dae Hwan Kim in a 135-pound title eliminator this past March.

The 26-year-old “Silencer” has only won 3 of his last 7 ONE FC outings, owning impressive knockout victories over Yusup Saadulaev, Thanh Vu and David Aranda Santacana.

Although Belingon will have the home-field advantage on fight night, Okazaki (10-3-1) has the odds in his favor as he is riding high on a two-fight winning streak.

Since yielding to Bibiano Fernandes in an interim bantamweight title contest in May, the former Shooto champion bounced back with two-consecutive wins inside the ONE FC cage, submitting Josh Alvarez with a second-round rear-naked choke in December 2013 before thumping Saadulaev via technical knockout 7 months later.

On the other hand, Banario (8-4) seeks to break his three-bout losing skid and claim his first victory since capturing the inaugural ONE FC featherweight championship against compatriot Eric Kelly in February 2013.

Prior to his decision setback to Jadamba Narantungalag at ONE FC: Honor & Glory in May, the 25-year-old Banario suffered two excruciating defeats by knockout in the hands of Koji Oishi.

The man standing in the way of Banario’s re-entry to the winner’s column is Burns (4-0), who has never tasted a single loss since his professional MMA debut in February 2012.

Facing a Filipino fighter is not new for the 5-foot-10 Brazilian as he had crossed paths with Pinoy stalwarts in the past, forcing Edward Kelly to tap at ONE FC: Moment of Truth in December 2013 before outpointing Harris Sarmiento at ONE FC: War of Nations in March.

Burns solidified his status as one of the top contenders for the 145-pound division’s top prize when he dominated Hiroshige Tanaka in three rounds at ONE FC: Reign of Champions in August.

Aside from the inclusion of the aforementioned bouts to the fight card, which takes place at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, Metro Manila, Asia’s largest MMA promotion announced two more marquee match-ups.

James McSweeney (14-11) battles Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist Roger Gracie (6-2) in a heavyweight scuffle, while Sylvain Potard (7-4) locks horns with light heavyweight standout Jake Butler (4-1).

ONE FC: Warrior’s Way is headlined by a bantamweight championship clash between current titleholder Bibiano Fernandes and Dae Hwan Kim.

In the co-main event, Filipino-American competitor Brandon Vera meets Igor Subora in his initial ONE FC appearance. – Rappler.com