ONE Championship: Alain Ngalani still hopeful of dream fight with UFC legend Vitor Belfort

Hong Kong’s Alain Ngalani will return to the ONE Championship Circle in Singapore against Oumar “Reug Reug” Kane, but “The Panther” isn’t giving up on his dream fight with Vitor Belfort.

Ngalani was set to fight the former UFC light heavyweight champ last year before the coronavirus pandemic took hold and played havoc with ONE’s schedule. The Asian organisation has still yet to figure out a way to get the two together in a ring, though, despite returning to action with its global shows last October.

The 43-year-old Belfort (26-14), who lives and trains in Florida, signed with ONE in 2019 but is still waiting on his debut. “Yes, that is still on the table, it’s just taking more time than expected because of the situation,” Ngalani told SCMP MMA.

“I understand. I asked the organisation to get me on a card just so I can be active in the meantime. because it’s been quite a while. I have now the opportunity to step in with my brother Oumar and that’s OK. I’m happy with it, I’m just excited as an athlete.

“I didn’t get the sense that it was never gonna happen. I was seeing an interview with him, and seeing word coming from both sides showing willingness, so I was hopeful that it will happen.

“But the situation has never really stopped, so I guess we have to just get on with it. The show must go on. I’m still hopeful it will go on because Vitor is still an athlete in ONE Championship.”