KEVIN BELINGON AND MARTIN NGUYEN FACE-OFF AT ONE: REIGN OF KINGS PRESS CONFERENCE
The
largest global sports media property in Asian history, ONE Championship™ (ONE),
held the ONE: REIGN OF KINGS Official Kick-Off Press Conference today, 24 July
at the City of Dreams Manila.
ONE
Championship, in conjunction with Globe Telecom, the leading provider of
telecommunications services in the Philippines, is launched as the exclusive
ONE Championship Super App launch sponsor in the Philippines at the ONE: REIGN
OF KINGS Official Kick-Off Press Conference.
Gracing
the press conference with their presence were ONE Championship Chairman and
CEO, Mr. Chatri Sityodtong, as well as a handful of ONE
Championship superstars ready to ignite the Mall of Asia Arena with action and
excitement.
In
attendance are Globe CCO Mr. Albert de Larrazabal, Globe SVP - Content Business
Group Mr. Nikko Z. Acosta, City of Dreams Manila SVP and COO Mr. Kevin Benning,
Games and Amusements Board Chairman Mr. Abraham Kahlil B. Mitra.
Top
bantamweight contender Kevin “The Silencer” Belingon (18-5) of
Baguio City, Philippines will go head-to-head with reigning ONE Featherweight
& Lightweight World Champion Martin “The Situ-Asian” Nguyen (11-2)
of Sydney, Australia in a highly-anticipated showdown for the ONE Interim
Bantamweight World Championship. The two superstars both pack incredible power
in each of their fists and will look to put on a show in Manila.
Also
on the card are co-main event participants, former ONE Lightweight World
Champion Shinya “Tobikan Judan” Aoki (40-8, 1NC) of
Tokyo, Japan and Shannon “OneShin” Wiratchai (9-2) of Bangkok,
Thailand, who will do battle for lightweight supremacy.
In
addition, the legendary Renzo Gracie (13-7-1, 1NC) of Brazil
will face Yuki Kondo (60-34-9) of Japan in a historic bout
between legends of the cage.
Lastly,
hometown hero and former ONE Lightweight World Champion Eduard
“Landslide” Folayang (19-6) of Baguio City, Philippines and
opponent Aziz Pahrudinov (20-0-1) of Dagestan, Russia were
present. Both will compete in a much-anticipated three-round lightweight
contest.
Here
are some quotes taken from the press conference:
Chatri
Sityodtong, Chairman and CEO of ONE Championship:
“ONE
Championship is going all-out in the second half of 2018, and we always have
something special planned for Manila. In what is perhaps the biggest martial
arts spectacle ever held in the Philippines, we have an amazing evening planned
for everyone this Friday night. The Mall of Asia Arena will be rocking with
action and excitement, delivered by the absolute best in local and
international martial arts talent.”
“Kevin
Belingon and Martin Nguyen are ready to put on a show. This matchup gives me
goosebumps and I know everyone is excited to see how it unfolds. When you put
two aggressive and explosive strikers in the cage together, it is sure to
produce fireworks. You literally cannot blink when these two guys finally meet
at the center of the ONE cage. Given how both are incredible finishers, I don’t
expect this bout to go the distance. Bibiano Fernandes is lying in wait, and
the winner of this bout goes on to unify the bantamweight world titles!”
“In
addition, we have a special treat for all the fans in Manila, as world-famous
and legendary martial arts icon Renzo Gracie will be showcasing his talent for
the final time in his career against Japanese veteran Yuki Kondo. I have known
Renzo for a long time and it is an absolute honor and privilege to give them
the stage for which he can perform once again and do what he loves to do in
front of the entire world. We are ready to make history once again this Friday
night at ONE: REIGN OF KINGS. See you all there!”
Nikko
Z. Acosta, SVP - Content Business Group of Globe
"As
purveyor of digital lifestyle, we have redefined how Filipinos can enjoy their
entertainment whether in music, movies, esports and live shows. We have
partnered with global content brands to bring world-class content to every
device be it through mobile or at home. Today, we are redefining sports
entertainment by partnering with ONE Championship, not only for Filipinos to
enjoy professional mixed martial arts, but to also cheer for our Filipino
fighters competing for the flag."
Kevin
“The Silencer” Belingon:
“This
is without a doubt the biggest bout of my career. Everything that I have worked
on to this point, all the countless nights spent in the gym, endless rolls with
my teammates at Team Lakay, all the wins and the sacrifices, it all comes down
to this. I took this challenge against Martin Nguyen, despite having a
guaranteed shot at Bibiano Fernandes already, because I wanted to prove that I
never back down from any challenge no matter how big or small. Beating Martin
will be huge for my career. He is a two-division world champion at both
featherweight and lightweight. If I defeat him, I just beat a two-division
world champion. Think about that for a second. I am excited to get into the
cage this Friday night and do what I do best.”
Martin
“The Situ-Asian” Nguyen, ONE Featherweight & Lightweight World Champion:
“Mad
respect to Kevin Belingon for accepting this challenge. He didn’t have to, but
he did. And that just speaks volume of the kind of warrior this guy is. I have
complete and total respect for a martial artist with his values and principles.
In a huge way, I see a lot of similarities between us. We are both hungry, and
we are both determined for victory. I have worked extremely hard for this
matchup and I am set on my goal, which is the ONE Bantamweight World
Championship and to become a three-division world champion and make history.
Nothing can stop me from achieving that goal. I feel that this is my time.”
Shinya
“Tobikan Judan” Aoki:
“I
live to compete, it is my life’s passion. Being able to test my skills against
the very best in the world, it’s what I was born to do. I can see myself doing
this until I am old. Shannon Wiratchai is a good fighter, he has very good
striking skills. But I have faced every kind of fighter in my career, and I
have seen everything there is to see inside the cage. When I step back in
there, I expect to impose my will on my opponent and get the victory that I
have trained very hard for.”
Shannon
“OneShin” Wiratchai:
“Shinya
Aoki is a great legend and he is my idol. I have watched and followed his
career for the past 15 years. He is the reason I got into mixed martial arts
and started to become an athlete in the first place. To be able to share the
cage with him is a huge privilege for me. As such, he deserves nothing but my
best. I am prepared to give him the greatest performance of my life. I hope one
day I can inspire other people with my performance, just as he inspired me.
Can’t wait for this Friday night when I am able to live my dream of competing
against Shinya.”
Renzo
Gracie:
“To
be able to come back after all these years and do this again, it seems surreal
to me. But I have been preparing a long time for this. I would like to thank
Chatri Sityodtong and ONE Championship for the opportunity, for giving me the
global stage once again, and for allowing me to satisfy my craving for
competition. This one is for the fans.”
Yuki
Kondo:
“This
bout has been brewing for a long time. All I can say is that I have much
respect for Renzo Gracie and what he has brought to martial arts. I am fully
prepared to win this bout however, and I am completely focused on giving a
great performance this Friday night. Fans can expect an action-packed bout
between us two. Thank you for the opportunity, ONE Championship.”
Eduard
“Landslide” Folayang:
“The
ONE lightweight division is incredibly deep and with lots of talent. Getting to
the top is very hard, but once you are there, it’s a great feeling. I am
determined to get back to the top. I can face every opponent, whether they are
undefeated or not. I am willing to go in there and go to work. I am working
very hard on improving all aspects of my game with my teammates at Team Lakay.
Every victory brings me closer to the title again. This time is no different. I
will defeat Aziz Pahrudinov and make my way back to the top.”
Aziz
Pahrudinov:
“I
am grateful for the opportunity to be making my ONE Championship debut this
Friday night. ONE Championship is the best in Asian martial arts, and I am
excited to be a part of it. I am sure this will do wonderful things for my
career. Facing a veteran and a former champion in Eduard Folayang in my debut
is a tough challenge, but I have prepared very well for this bout and I will
leave the arena as the winner.”
For
more updates on ONE Championship, please visit www.onefc.com,
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at https://www.facebook.com/ONECh ampionship.
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