Former ONE Bantamweight World Champion Kevin “The Silencer” Belingon has conquered the greatest challenges inside the ONE Circle throughout his career but no achievement could top a life milestone the 32-year-old mixed martial arts veteran recently experienced than becoming a father to his newly born daughter.
Just a couple of days ago, Belingon and wife Lee welcomed a beautiful and healthy baby girl into the world. Kelsey Belingon was born on Tuesday, August 18 at the Notre Dame De Chartres Hospital in Baguio City.
For Belingon, becoming a father was something he had always dreamed about. Needless to say, getting to hold his child in his arms for the first time was a moment he could not put into words.
“Of course, I was very excited because we have been waiting for this for quite some time. It is the best feeling I’ve ever experienced,” said Belingon.
“I was very excited to see our baby for the first time. The original plan was that I’m supposed to be with my wife during the delivery.
But due to COVID-19, there were new restrictions, so I had to wait outside the delivery room. I just couldn’t wait to see our baby at that moment.”
Belingon is a ONE Championship veteran who has seen it all inside the ONE Circle being one of the pillars of the famed Team Lakay of Baguio City and of Philippine mixed martial arts.
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After a rocky 3-4 start in his first seven bouts in the promotion, including a failed attempt to take over the crown of then Bantamweight World Champion Brazilian rival Bibiano “The Flash” Fernandes in the seventh bout, he racked up seven straight wins.
Three of those wins ended in either KOs or TKOs, which installed him as one of the most sensational ONE knockout stars.
Ironically, the last bout of this 7-win streak happening on November, 2018 put “The Silencer” at the pinnacle of his professional mixed martial arts career as it was a match to unify the ONE Bantamweight World Championship where he dethroned Fernandes.
The 32-year-old, however, lost his last two bouts, yielding the title back to Fernandes in their controversial third match and failing to regain some ground by falling to a Fernandes’ rear-naked choke in their fourth match.
Belingon is currently on the comeback trail. He is reported to be considering moving up in weight, naming Martin Nguyen and his ONE Feather World title as his new targets.
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This move is not necessarily a bad idea considering a fifth bout with Fernandes might not be palatable to ONE and MMA fans at moment and he’s had a competitive match with Nguyen in defending his then ONE Interim Bantamweight title while Fernandes was on the mend.
A rematch of that bout, which Belingon won by unanimous decision, at featherweight would anticipated by fight fans.
Now a new father, Belingon says he is motivated more than ever to resume his career and give his child the future she deserves.
“Family has always been my first priority. Having a child in that picture makes me level up my game as the head of the family,” said Belingon.
“I feel more motivated in everything in life right now, especially in providing a good future for our child.”
Belingon also joins the list of Team Lakay fathers that include former ONE Lightweight World Champion Eduard Folayang, ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix Finalist Danny Kingad, and former ONE Flyweight World Champion Geje Eustaquio, among others.
By: ARMANDO M. BOLISLIS
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