SINGAPORE — Brazilian fighter Bibiano Fernandes shrugged off Kevin Belingon’s brave words ahead of their bantamweight title fight in ONE Championship on Friday night at Singapore Indoor Stadium.
“Of course he has to say he's confident,” said Fernandes. “He's going to say, 'I'm scared'? Definitely not.”
Since losing to Fernandez in 2016, Filipino hero Belingon has won six straight fights, including his unanimous decision victory over Martin Nguyen to claim the interim bantamweight title.
But Fernandes, who’s on his own 14-fight win run, said he's not intimidated.
“He has confidence, good for him. I have confidence, too,” he said. We're the best guys in the cage. I respect Kevin. He's a good guy, good athlete. Confidence, good for him, I have confidence, too.”
Two years ago Fernandes defeated Belingon via submission in the first round and he’s optimistic he can replicate the success.
“I fought him in the past, I finished him before and I will finish him again,” he added. “I am ready for the war on Friday, and I am prepared to do my best.”