Team Lakay head coach: 'Kevin Belingon more prepared than ever for upcoming fight'

Martin Nguyen (L), Chatri Sityodtong, Kevin Bellingon (R), PHOTO BY ONE CHAMPIONSHIP

If Team Lakay was to make a business move, Kevin Belingon would be in the sidelines waiting for his imminent title shot against ONE bantamweight champion Bibiano Fernandes.

But Belingon and his team are fighters, and they would rather stay active and risk it all than wait for a shot at a world title.

The team's decision ultimately led them to the main event of 'ONE: Reign of Kings' where Belingon is slated to fight two-division champion Martin Nguyen for the ONE interim bantamweight title on July 27 at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

"An opportunity is an opportunity. We believe that no matter what happens, Belingon and Fernandes will eventually face each other," Team Lakay's head coach Mark Sangiao told GMA News Online.

"This is a win-win situation for Kevin. In my mind, if Bibiano is truly a fighter, he's going to fight Kevin no matter what."

Nguyen had defeated ten of his opponents by either knockout or submission. He is most remembered for stopping Eduard Folayang to snatch the ONE lightweight title last year, and is looking to make history by being a reigning champion in three weight classes.

Belingon, however, is out to prevent that from happening says Sangiao.

"Kevin is more than ready for this fight. He's always prepared for each bout, but this fight in particular he's more prepared than ever. We all know that Martin is a very wise fighter, you tend to think he's an underdog but he always finds a way to stop his opponents," Sangiao quipped.

"Martin, being a wise fighter that he is, will keep looking for Kevin's weaknesses. I, however, think that he will have a hard time doing that because Kevin is a complete fighter now. He surprised as before, but we already saw and know what that surprise is. We have a surprise of our own." — BAP, GMA News