MMA: Belingon loses to Ueda in ONE FC bantamweight Grand Prix final

With Team Lakay going 0-3 in their first three matches of ONE FC: Rise to Power, the pressure was on Kevin Belingon to turn the tide and defeat Masakatsu Ueda, Friday at the MOA Arena.

It was the ONE FC bantamweight Grand Prix final, but the handsome trophy or a possible title shot was far from Belingon's mind, as he was focused on just getting a win for Team Lakay.

Belingon bloodied Ueda in the final round. At times it looked like the Japanese fighter was ready to go. However, the judges scored the fight unanimously for Ueda as he got the better of the fight on the ground.

After struggling to match up with Belingon's striking in the first round, Ueda successfully got a takedown. The Japanese was able to get in good knees to Belingon's body. He then went for a kimura, but the Filipino wisely used his knee to break Ueda's hold.

After a brief stand up fight, Belingon surprised everyone by going for a takedown. He was able to get it, but Ueda spun forward and to end up on top.

Ueda went for another kimura but Belingon broke the hold again.

With frustration mounting, Belingon unleashed careless kicks that failed to find their target.

The fight was too close to call entering the third round. Belingon dominated the stand-up while Ueda was better on the ground.

Belingon unleashed a brutal standing attack to bloody Ueda. He went in for chokes but he wasn't able to finish the Japanese.

With the clock ticking way, Belingon landed right straight after right straight that made Ueda's face a bloody mess.

Near the end of the round, Belingon ran out of gas, which allowed Ueda to get a full mount. However, the Japanese fighter was not able to connect with a lot of hits.

The crowd booed the result as they saw just how damaged Ueda's face was, but the Japanese did put in the work early in the fight.

With another Team Lakay loss, the pressure is on Honorio Banario to end the night on a good note for the Filipinos.

Ueda improved his record to 18 wins against two losses and two draws, while Belingon falls to 11 wins with three losses.  - AMD, GMA News