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Stephen Loman might very well be just two fights away from adding another belt to his collection.
The former Brave CF champion is preparing for his toughest challenge yet in 11-time former world champion Bibiano Fernandes. The bout will go down at ONE on Prime Video 4 on Friday, November 18.
Despite the Brazilian’s age, there’s a reason why he is among the longest reigning world champions in the promotion’s history. His last fight with John Lineker last March at ONE: Lights Out proved that the 42-year-old slugger still has some serious power in those hands.
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Speaking to ONE Championship about ‘The Flash’, Loman was asked if Fernandes was the final stepping stone to a world title shot. ‘The Sniper’ responded:
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“Yes. Right now, he’s the top-ranked contender in the division, so if I beat him, I will surely be next in line for a world title opportunity."
Loman added:
"I believe that winning this will give me a chance to contend for a world title in ONE, which would be another goal to reach. I’m determined to face all these ranked opponents so that I can prove myself worthy to challenge for that world championship.”
Stephen Loman is 2-0 in ONE and is currently the No.5-ranked contender in the stacked bantamweight division. Riding an impressive ten-fight winning streak overall, ‘The Sniper’ believes the belt is ripe for the taking.
On the other hand, Bibiano Fernandes is coming off a title loss against John Lineker.
Stephen Loman feels he’s leveled up to Bibiano Fernandes’ level
Despite becoming a multiple-time Brave CF champion, Stephen Loman admitted that the level of competition there doesn’t compare with ONE Championship.
After each new fight at ONE, Loman felt his opponents had pushed him past his own limits. According to ‘The Sniper', those experiences have made him work on his shortcomings and become a more well-rounded fighter. Stephen Loman told ONE:
“Yusup [Saadulaev] was on a different level, and so was Shoko Sato, and those experiences helped me see my own weaknesses and work on them. The level of competition is that much higher in ONE Championship, so I need to step up my own game to make sure that I’m right up there with the top guys.”
Watch Loman TKO Saadulaev in a December 2021 bout:
