'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
When a fighter like Fabricio Andrade spends months focused on beating one opponent, the worst thing to happen is for the fight to end without a sense of clarity.
That exact nightmare unfolded for Andrade last month in his world title fight with John Lineker when a low blow to Lineker (that broke Lineker’s cup) ruled their fight a no-contest. 'Hands of Stone' writhed in pain for several minutes on the floor, and felt pain for hours after the fight.
The belt is vacant and no clear plans have been announced as of yet to move the division forward.
Despite being ranked over the former champion in the promotion’s official rankings, Brazil’s Andrade still believes his compatriot Lineker is the top fighter in the division. He shared his thoughts on Lineker’s status in an interview with the South China Morning Post:
"After everything happened the way it happened, it was very frustrating for me because I mentalized having the belt for a long time. Now, after everything, the rematch makes sense. It’s the fight that people want to see. He’s still the best guy in the division. I hope if we rematch soon, I hope he makes weight first and we can fight again."
Even if ONE books the rematch, Lineker hasn’t always been a fighter to instill confidence in his ability to make weight. Regardless, the fight needs to happen and would likely be one of the biggest rematches in ONE history if made.
Fabricio Andrade satisfied with performance against John Lineker at ONE on Prime Video 3
Despite an inconclusive ending at ONE on Prime Video 3, Fabricio Andrade is happy with the way the fight went for two-and-a-half rounds. Andrade was getting the better of the exchanges and looked to be the fresher fighter of the two. While starting slowly, the fight gradually started heating up as time progressed.
Speaking in an interview with ONE Championship, Fabricio Andrade said:
“I trained a lot, worked a lot, and sacrificed a lot to get in my best shape. I made weight, I did everything right, I was winning the fight, almost knocking him out, and the fight ended like that. From a near knockout to a no-contest, it was very frustrating. I was very sad with the result of the fight.”
Fabricio Andrade wasn’t the only one disappointed to see the fight end with that kind of result, as the pre-fight hype among fans for the striking war that could ensue was off the charts. Andrade has likely replayed the events of the fight, imagining what could have been had the low blow not happened.
With both fighters and fans wanting a rematch, it’s likely that the world title fight gets made for early next year.
