Filipino Striker Gets Big-Name Matchup With ONE Championship Next Month

ONE Championship has been graced by some of the best bantamweights in the world, and this coming November will be no different as the promotion will host a marquee matchup between Stephen Loman and former division king Bibiano Fernandes.

Loman has been on a tear since joining the Singapore-based combat sports promotion in December 2021, knocking out bantamweight stalwart Yusup Saadulaev to end round one of his promotional debut while pulling out a unanimous decision victory against Shoko Sato in March.

Facing Fernandes in his third ONE Championship match is going to be a big challenge for him since it would pit former champions against one another as "The Silencer" was once a titleholder during his stint with Bahrain-based BRAVE CF.

Despite knowing how dangerous of an opponent Fernandes is, Loman is taking things in stride.

"I'm so happy for this opportunity. Now the people will get to see the results of all the hard work and training that I've done. I'm truly excited for this bout. Bibiano is one of the top contenders still in the division so a win here and I could be next in line for the title," Loman said.

Winning over Fernandes could put Loman in line for the now-vacated ONE bantamweight title after John Lineker was stripped of it for missing weight ahead of ONE on Prime Video 3 this weekend.

Fernandes is as dangerous as ever since losing his title to Lineker via knockout this past March is only going to make him want to reclaim it and likely not via decision.

It is a sentiment that Team Lakay coach Mark Sangiao fully agrees with.

"He could be really motivated coming from that loss against Lineker. It's either he's frustrated or motivated... We all know Bibiano hasn't experienced defeat in a long time. Of course, that loss will certainly serve as a big lesson for him, either way, we're preparing for him to the best that we can," Sangiao stated.

Ironically enough, Fernandes' last defeat prior to Lineker was at the hands of Sangiao's ward and former bantamweight king Kevin Belingon back in November 2018.

Team Lakay will be gunning to have a repeat of history when Loman takes on Fernandes at ONE on Prime Video 4, which will be headlined by welterweight champion Kiamrian Abbasov's defense against lightweight titlist Christian Lee on November 19 (November 18 in the United States).