John Lineker was a man on a mission at ONE Fight Night 13. The Brazilian was out to show he is ready for another shot at the ONE Bantamweight World Championship. Standing in his way was Kim Jae Woong, and he was able to score a finish before the final bell rang in ONE Championship’s return to U.S. primetime.
“It was very gratifying when I came out with the victory. I’m very happy with this win. He did surprise me. I didn’t expect him to come wrestling. He surprised me when he got me down, but I have a very good jiu-jitsu instructor. I managed to survive there, and the fight turned my way,” Lineker told ONE after his victory.
The end came at 4:56 of the third and final frame. “Hands of Stone” continued to prove his nickname correct with a buzzer-beating ending. And he credits the victory to his coaches for continuing to instill the belief that the finish would come.
“I tried to knock him out until the end. My coaches told me I had to keep on going. I always go for the knockout. I don’t like to leave the fight in the hands of the judges. I didn’t know it was four seconds from the end, but my corner was telling me, ‘Believe, believe, believe.’ And the knockout came,” Lineker recalled.
Lineker finally ascended to the top of the division in 2022. A crushing knockout over Bibiano Fernandes was a crowning achievement for the Brazilian. However, the good feelings would soon be washed away.
In his first defense of the gold, Lineker lost the belt on the scale. Before he met with Fabricio Andrade, which ended in a no contest, Lineker missed weight. In their rematch, “Wonder Boy” outclassed him and took home the title by TKO. Now, Lineker wants to prove those issues are behind him and reclaim the title he had a year ago.
“I’m here to become a champ. I’m here to retrieve what’s mine. So, I certainly want Fabricio Andrade next. I think that if I fight him again, I’ll show him what I’m capable of,” Lineker declared.
Andrade already trains in Thailand at Tiger Muay Thai. Lineker believes getting to Asia earlier than he did previously will pay dividends against his fellow countryman should a rematch materialize. But it is clear that the 33-year-old is already getting his ducks in a row to take back his throne.
“I’m going to come [to Asia] earlier so I can fight on an even table with him. I’ve got to get here earlier. It’s very difficult to fight coming from Brazil in a short time and fighting people that live here,” Lineker said.
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