Toni Tauru (11-5) was stopped by Filipino Kevin Belingon (14-5) in 2 minutes and 27 seconds of the first round at ONE: KINGS OF DESTINY at the Mall of Asia Arena in Manila. A right hand stunned and cut Dynamite and the end came shortly after as Tauru was wiping away blood from his eye after getting floored to the ground.
It just never looked like Tauru got things going as Belingon landed several hard low kicks early. Tauru landed a spinning kick, and nearly got a take-down after catching a kick, but it was the local fighter that used his hands to defend. Belingon landed a right and followed up with good combinations as a desperate Tauru fired back, but it was not enough.
“Dynamite” submitted former ONE title challenger Geje “Gravity” Eustaquio in the first round in his last fight in December, stopping a three fight losing streak but it was Eustaquio’s teammate Belingon that had the advantage tonight.
Belingon is out of Team Lakay MMA in Baguio City, Philippines, is one of the country’s most talented mixed martial artists. The 29-year-old wushu stalwart owns five knockouts on his resume and is one of the most feared strikers in the bantamweight division. In his last bout, Belingon defeated top Tajikistan prospect Muin Gafurov by decision. He likely earned a title shot with the title contenders bout.
