One Championship: Bibiano Fernandes refuses title after Kevin Belingon fight ends in controversy
- Bantamweight champion gets disqualified for illegal blows in Tokyo
- But Brazilian challenger appears not to accept the win after wild trilogy fight
It was supposed to be the trilogy fight that would finally settle the debate of who was the better fighter between Bibiano Fernandes and Kevin Belingon.
But there were more questions and answers after “The Silencer” was disqualified and stripped of his bantamweight title because of illegal blows to the back of Fernandes’ head.
The two had been on the ground in the third round when Belingon hit the Brazilian with his elbow twice. After several minutes of deliberation, it was ruled Fernandes could not continue, and Belingon was shown the red card by the referee.
Fernandes appeared unwilling to accept the win in such circumstances, however, waving his fingers and saying “no”.
“We will see an automatic rematch,” One Championship founder and CEO Chatri Sityodtong said. “Thank you very much, sir” was Belingon’s response.