ONE Championship, Asia’s premier martial arts organisation, is set to return to the Philippines with ONE: Heroes of Honor, taking place at the Mall of Asia Arena in Manila on April 20.
In the main event, home favourite Kevin "The Silencer" Belingon (17-5), who is currently riding a four-bout winning streak, will take on former bantamweight world title challenger Andrew Leone (8-3) in a contest with huge title implications.
Both are seeking a rematch against reigning ONE Bantamweight World Champion Bibiano "The Flash" Fernandes, and will have to go through each other to secure it.
"I know Andrew Leone is a tough opponent, and I need to be at my best to win," said Belingon during a press conference on Tuesday.
"It’s going to be one of my biggest matches to date and I am very thankful to ONE Championship for allowing me to be a part of this historic event.
"I can’t leave anything to chance. I have to give another great performance."
Leone also knows what’s at stake in this matchup, hence he isn’t taking his Filipino counterpart lightly.
"This is a tremendous opportunity for me and I can’t wait to go up there and show what I can do, to perform to the best of my ability," said Leone.
"Kevin Belingon is a tough guy. He’s a hard puncher and he has power. But I’m not worried about his striking. I’ve faced tough guys before. All I can say is that I’ll be ready."
ONE: Heroes of Honor will also mark the world premiere of the striking-only ONE Super Series, in which the world's best martial artists can showcase the beauty of Asia's striking arts such as Muay Thai, kickboxing, karate, taekwondo, Kung Fu, wushu, silat, and more.
"Aside from the many great bouts this Friday night, what I’m most excited about is the launch of ONE Super Series," said Chatri Sityodtong, Chairman and CEO of ONE Championship.
"We have the best in all styles going up against each other. so that’s definitely something to look forward to.
"Fans will witness the absolute elite in striking martial arts, as they go head-to-head on the biggest and most prestigious global stage of competition."
Global kickboxing superstar Giorgio "The Doctor" Petrosyan and "Smokin" Jo Nattawut of Thailand will battle it out in the main ONE Super Series event.
Watch ONE: Heroes of Honor on Astro Arena and Astro GO on April 20
Seng Foo Lee
Wed Apr 18 2018
One Championship: Pichai mangsa TKO Rifdean
Juara tiga kali Muaythai B-23 Dunia, Rifdean Masdor, membuktikan kejaguhannya apabila menumbangkan peninju Thailand, Pichai di pentas One Championship.
ONE Championship: Johan Ghazali diangkat bintang baru 2023
Bintang muda muay thai negara, Muhammad Johan Ghazali, menutup tirai musim 2023 dengan cemerlang apabila dinobat sebagai Bintang Baharu Paling Menyerlah 2023 oleh ONE Championship.
Gadis 'cair' bila Jojo Ghazali berlakon
Jaguh Muay Thai negara, Johan 'Jojo' Ghazali, sudah mula menjinakkan diri dengan bidang lakonan.
ONE Championship: Jojo kekal rekod tanpa kalah, hanya perlu 36 saat tumbangkan Edgar Tabares
Petarung muda negara, Johan "Jojo" Ghazali, mengekalkan rekod tanpa kalahnya dalam saingan ONE Championship apabila hanya memerlukan 36 saat untuk menumbangkan lawan berpengalaman, Edgar Tabares.
ONE Championship: Aliff Rakib raih kemenangan KO ketiga, terima tawaran ratusan ribu USD
Petarung muda negara, Nor Iman Aliff Rakib, melebarkan rekod tanpa kalahnya kepada 4-0 dengan kemenangan KO ketiga apabila menumbangkan lawan dari Iran, Peyman Zolfaghari, dalam pertarungan 120-pound catchweight ONE Friday Fights malam tadi.
ONE Championship: Johan Ghazali bakal buat penampilan pertama jumpa Edgar Tabares
Petarung muda negara, Johan 'Jojo' Ghazali, akan melakukan penampilan pertamanya dalam Primetime US, ONE Championship pada 8 Disember depan.
ONE Championship: TKO pacu keyakinan Ahmad Nor Iman
Atlet muay thai negara, Ahmad Nor Iman Aliff Rakib, melakar kejutan memenangi pertarungan ONE Championship dengan keputusan 'TKO'.
Khabib perlu jadi panduan semua atlet MMA, kata Agilan Thani
Atlet sukan seni bela diri campuran (MMA) negara, Agilan Thani, berasakan kejayaan yang diraih Khabib Nurmagomedov sepanjang 12 tahun karier gemilangnya wajar dijadikan panduan buat semua yang menceburi sukan tempur itu.
ONE Championship: Jurulatih dedah keistimewaan Agilan
Jurulatih Jiu-Jitsu dari Brazil, Bruno Barbosa, membentuk Agilan "Alligator" Thani sejak di peringkat awal lagi.
Covid-19: Aksi ONE Championship berlangsung tanpa penyokong
ONE Championship hari ini mengumumkan pertarungan hanya akan diadakan acara tertutup tanpa penyokong, berkuat kuasa serta-merta.
'Lot of value' in Warriors keeping Curry, Green and Thompson together, says Kerr
Klay Thompson is set to enter free agency, raising the prospect of the Golden State Warriors' iconic trio being broken up this offseason.
Cole Palmer has nothing to prove to City, says Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino
The Blues forward faces his former team in the FA Cup on Saturday.
Jack Grealish: FA Cup semi-final the perfect game to ‘put right’ European exit
Manchester City face Chelsea on Saturday looking to bounce back from the Champions League defeat to Real Madrid,
What has caused the row over FA Cup replays and what happens next?
All replays from the first round have been scrapped for next season.
Leonard questionable for Game 1 versus Mavs as Clippers monitor 'unpredictable' situation
Kawhi Leonard faces a battle to be available for Game 1 of the Los Angeles Clippers' first-round showdown with the Dallas Mavericks.
Emiliano Martinez banned for first leg of Villa’s semi-final against Olympiacos
Brendan Rodgers warns Celtic not to ‘soften up’ during title run-in
Celtic remain top by three points – and have a five-goal advantage – with five matches remaining in the league.
Erling Haaland a doubt for FA Cup semi-final
The Manchester City striker suffered a muscular injury against Real Madrid which could keep him out of the Chelsea clash.
Philippe Clement urges Rangers to embrace intense environment of run-in
Rangers have just two wins from their last eight games in all competitions.
Bayern still have unfinished business in Bundesliga despite end of title reign
Bayer Leverkusen denied Bayern a 12th successive Bundesliga title last weekend.