Kevin Belingon will once again take on his greatest rival in Bibiano Fernandes, with their fifth showdown set for ONE 171 in Qatar.
Former ONE Bantamweight MMA World Champion Kevin “The Silencer” Belingon will make his long-awaited return to ONE Championship early next year.
Belingon will settle unfinished business when he completes a rare-pentology in combat sports against bitter rival Bibiano “The Flash” Fernandes at ONE 171: Qatar inside Lusail Sports Arena in Doha on February 20, 2025.
While the Lions Nation MMA representative has been in a slump as of late, he’s always faced the best that the division has to offer.
Belingon has never fought anyone outside of the top-5, or who wasn't a ONE World Champion, since 2018. This gives him one of the toughest runs a fighter has ever had in the promotion.
“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 is currently 1-3 against Fernandes, but a lot of Pinoy fight fans feel that the series could’ve easily been 2-2 if it had not been for his contentious disqualification in 2019.
The rivalry between the pair dates back to 2016. While “The Silencer” knows it’s going to be tough to even the count, what matters is getting the final say.
“I have unfinished business with Bibiano. We have history together and I want to end our story with me on top,” he said.
Their fight was announced alongside a series of other exciting MMA bouts. Croatian welterweight sensation Roberto Soldic returns to face Dagi Arslanaliev in a match between two heavy hitters.
Also announced for the show is the featherweight MMA clash between #3-ranked contender Shamil Gasanov battles the #4-ranked and former two-division titleholder Martin Nguyen.
The event will be co-headlined by Belingon’s teammate in ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion Joshua Pacio. He unifies his belt against interim king Jarred Brooks.
Finally, ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Champion Jonathan Haggerty headlines the show against Chinese challenger Wei Rui.
“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.”