Belingon, McLaren engage in all-Filipino match in Kuala Lumpur

A fellow Filipino awaits Reece McLaren as he begins his road to redemption. (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--In a rare moment, two Filipino MMA fighters will face off outside the Philippines.

Bantamweight contenders Kevin Belingon and Reece McLaren will slug it out in Kuala Lumpur for a possible second crack at Bibiano Fernandes' title at One: Quest for Greatness at the Stadium Negara on Aug. 18.

Belingon and McLaren both challenged Fernandes for the said belt, but the Brazilian proved to be the better guy than the two Filipino pugs.

[Related Stories: Belingon bows to Fernandes in One title conquest | Vera retains HW belt, Bibiano Fernandes continues longest One reign]

Now, both Belingon and McLaren will battle in Malaysia as their quest to join Belingon's fellow Team Lakay member Eduard Folayang and Brandon Vera as Filipino One champs continue.

Belingon and McLaren are not the only Filipinos in the fight card as Robin and Rene Catalan and Edward Kelly will also get to see action in Kuala Lumpur.

Rene Catalan takes on China's Bu Huo You Ga, while Kelly battles Emilio Urrutia.

Robin Catalan, however, has the toughest opponent among the three as no less than former One strawweight Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke is waiting in the wings.

On the other hand, the anticipated showdown between second generation fighters Christian Lee and Keanu Subba will finally happen in the said card.

The younger brothers of Angela Lee and Gianni Subba respectively were supposed to face off at One: Kings of Destiny in Pasay on April 21, but Keanu suffered an injury during training, prompting One to instead have Christian take on Wan Jian Ping, who he soundly beat.

[Related Story: Folayang retains lightweight belt; Team Lakay sweeps One Championship card]

The older Subba, meanwhile, will take on Riku Shibuya.

In the headliner, Marat Gafurov stakes his One featherweight belt against Martin Nguyen.

Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno