“I know that Fabricio Andrade isn’t just any fighter” - Stephen Loman envisions potential matchup between he and Fabricio Andrade

While anticipating his next move, Stephen Loman will be watching the main event of ONE Fight Night 7 with keen interest.

The third-ranked contender at bantamweight knows that a world title fight is likely in his future, sooner rather than later.

He also believes that he knows who will win the rematch between Fabricio Andrade and John Lineker, which headlines ONE Fight Night 7 on February 24th. Speaking to media outlet The MMA Superfan, Stephen Loman gave his opinion on who he’ll be fighting for a world title fight when the time eventually comes:

I’ll train, work on my knockout strikes or my special moves to beat him. That really is my goal, to get the world title, but I know that Fabricio Andrade isn’t just any fighter. Whatever happens, I’ll be ready."

In the opinion of the majority of MMA fans watching the fight, Fabricio Andrade could have been on his way to winning the belt against John Lineker last October. A groin strike to Lineker would halt the fight prematurely and leave the belt vacant, setting up the rematch.

Stephen Loman’s next fight, which hasn’t been announced yet, will most likely be for the number one contender spot or even a world title shot after the Lineker-Andrade rematch.

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Stephen Loman believes the wrestling of John Lineker could be trouble for Fabricio Andrade in rematch

While confident that a fight between him and Fabricio Andrade for the belt is in his future, it doesn’t mean that he thinks Andrade’s rematch with John Lineker is a lock.

The former bantamweight world champion is a veteran of over forty-five professional MMA fights, meaning his weaknesses are few. While his reputation comes as a hammering knockout artist, one element that may have surprised Andrade in their last fight was his wrestling.

Stephen Loman agrees that Lineker should build his strategy for the rematch around the takedown, speaking to The MMA Superfan about their success in their first meeting:

"Lineker will use his wrestling again. That’s the way I see him taking the fight. He’ll use his wrestling and try to connect with those looping shots. I think that if Andrade uses his footwork to keep distance, Lineker will need to turn up the pressure so he can get within range to throw those hooks."

It’s true that the takedowns of Lineker played a big part of their first fight and gave Fabricio Andrade problems. They’ll have had five months to analyze their fight and make adjustments, creating a game plan around their success against the other.

Stephen Loman will likely be hoping for a quick finish, with little damage absorbed by the winner, so he can make his own run for the belt as soon as possible.