"Automatic rematch" for Belingon and Bibiano Fernandes, ONE CEO said

Photo Courtesy || One Championship

Cordillera - An automatic rematch is set for Kevin Belingon and Bibiano Fernandes in the near future after their historic trilogy ended up in a disqualification for Belingon. 

ONE Championship Chairman and CEO Chatri Sidyodthong said in a press conference that the two rivals would meet for the fourth time. 

"That's an automatic rematch," Sidyothong announced during a press conference just after the event in Tokyo, Japan. 

Fernandes snatched the belt from Belingon after the former was given a red card by the referee due to disqualification. Belingon accidentally landed a pair of illegal elbows to the back of the head of Fernandes in the second round. 

Fernandes was hurt and declared a winner when he couldn't stand up to continue the fight.

Many fans were dissatisfied with the outcome of the fight and wanted the two rivals to meet again for the fourth time to settle things straight. 

The early rounds of the bout had given the Filipino champion the upper hand as it scored clean shots and spinning back kicks to Fernandes. 

Fernandes was able to trade punches with Belingon in the next round which caught Belingon an overhand right to his jaw and took him off his feet. But Belingon was able to withstand the powerful shots and recovered.

In the third round, Fernandes was able to ground Belingon but received two clean elbows to the back of his head. The referee stopped the fight and Fernandes was given 5 minutes to recover. The fight was halted after Fernandes was unable to continue the bout.