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ONE Chairman disagrees with Fernandes, says Belingon has improved a lot


SINGAPORE- ONE Championship chairman Chatri Sityodtong disagreed with ONE bantamweight champion Bibiano Fernandes' observation that ONE interim bantamweight champion Kevin Belingon didn't improve as much as the experts think.

Fernandes defeated Belingon by submission in the opening round in 2016. A couple of years later, both fighters are set to duke it out in a highly anticipated rematch in the main event of 'ONE: Heart of the Lion' on November 9 at Indoor Stadium in Singapore.

"He didn't improve a lot, he only improved something, that's it. He's improved some things but Kevin is still Kevin, he still throw that right hand and nice kicks and that's it," Fernandes claimed.

 

ONE Championship chairman Chatri Sityodtong with
ONE Championship chairman Chatri Sityodtong with Fernandes on the left and Belingon on the right

Sityodtong doesn't believe that Fernandes is underestimating his Filipino foe. He, however, begs to differ with the Brazilian's opinion citing how much Belingon has improved in a span of two years.

"I think Kevin has improved a lot, you can see it in his takedown defense. When he fought Andrew Leone who is a wrestler, he couldn't get taken down. You could just see the speed difference and the power and his takedown defense was outstanding," said Sityodtong.

"I think Bibiano's wrestling better be very sharp otherwise he will not take Kevin down. And if he can't take Kevin down it's going to be a long night for him." — LA, GMA News

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