Two of the best Cordilleran World Bantamweight Champions come from Ifugao

Cordillera - The era of Philippine Mixed Martial Arts has begun and has been taking the center stage of the sports media nowadays. Thanks to all the Filipino fighters who put their time, effort and dedication to the sport. 

The Cordilleran martial artists are now making waves in major sport organizations like ONE Championship and Brave Combat Federation. 

ONE Championship promotion has Kevin Belingon who currently holds the World Bantamweight title while Brave Combat Federation has Stephen Loman who is also holding the same title.

Photo Courtesy || Brave Combat Federation

Both fighters are Cordillerans who happened to be from the same tribe, the Ifugao. They are both training under the stable of Benguet-based gym Team Lakay with multi-awarded coach Mark Sangiao.

Stephen "The Sniper" Loman is a passionate and dedicated fighter who will do all his best to win in every bout. He is an ultimate well-rounded fighter with powerful kicks and incredible hands. He has a lot of variety of weapons that he uses in his arsenal.

Loman is the first and only Brave Combat Federation Bantamweight Champion in the history of the promotion. He is currently on his sixth fight winning streak after defending his title against Frans Mlambo and Felipe Efrain back in 2018. 

This coming March 15, 2019, he will be defending his title against Elias Boudegzdame in the main event of Brave 22: Storm of Warriors at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. 

This is the first time Stephen will be fighting in front of his countrymen right in his own homeland. 

Meanwhile, his town mate Kevin "The Silencer" Belingon is one of the most exciting Filipino MMA fighter of ONE Championship because of his explosiveness and speed when he fights inside the cage. He is known for his powerful punches that when landed solid to his opponent, would be the end. 

Photo Courtesy || Kevin Belingon FB

Currently, Belingon holds the ONE Championship World Bantamweight title after grabbing it from the Brazilian fighter Bibiano Fernandes after their match in November last year. 

Belingon is set to face Fernandes for the 3rd time in the co-main event of ONE: A New Era on March 31 at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo, Japan. 

The 31-year old Belingon showcased a lot of improvements during his last fight and is now in his seventh winning streak. 

The ONE: A New Era will also see the most anticipated fight in the main-event as ONE Lightweight World Champion Eduard Folayang will defend his belt in a rematch with the Japanese martial arts icon Shinya Aoki.