One Championship to Host Renzo Gracie’s Retirement Fight, Nguyen-Belingon Scrap

One Championship has booked some intriguing bouts for its July 27 card in Manila.

Martin Nguyen will face Kevin Belingon for the interim bantamweight championship, One Championship CEO Chatri Sityodtong announced Thursday in a press release. Nguyen (11-2) will try again to become a three-division champion after he lost a close decision to Bibiano Fernandes in March. In his last bout, the 29-year-old came away with a close split decision against rising star Christian Lee in a successful defense of his featherweight crown.

Belingon (18-5) overwhelmed former world title challenger Andrew Leone in his last bout to win by a highlight-reel worthy second-round knockout.

The event in Manila also will feature Renzo Gracie’s return to action in his farewell match against fellow Pride Fighting Championships veteran Yuki Kondo. Gracie will make his return after the third-round TKO loss in 2010 against Matt Hughes at UFC 112.

Kondo (59-34-9), who has experience in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, Pancrase and Sengoku, is eager to get back on track following his loss to Jutaro Nakao last December.

Also, Shinya Aoki and Shannon Wiratchai will square off on the card, as will former One Championship titlist Eduard Folayang against an undecided foe.