'%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,/9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAQAAAQABAAD/2wCEAAMDAwMDAwQEBAQFBQUFBQcHBgYHBwsICQgJCAsRCwwLCwwLEQ8SDw4PEg8bFRMTFRsfGhkaHyYiIiYwLTA+PlQBAwMDAwMDBAQEBAUFBQUFBwcGBgcHCwgJCAkICxELDAsLDAsRDxIPDg8SDxsVExMVGx8aGRofJiIiJjAtMD4+VP/AABEIAAYACgMBIgACEQEDEQH/xABgAAEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABggQAAICAgMBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAECAwQAEQUSUQZBAQEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABBEAAQQCAwAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQACAyETQREyUf/aAAwDAQACEQMRAD8AxrfpVeH+a4GWTiqDNfjAmKM4207OqEeBQuz6ck57kNGeWqKlciB2jB6k76HX6cYynCzDEbsyc2dFJXuLia6s0PF//9k='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
John Lineker’s strong resolve as a fighter was honed in the streets as he stood up to those who bullied him. In fact, it was his own father who encouraged him never to back down from said bullies whenever he got into hot water.
‘Hands of Stone' shared this in an interview with ONE Championship as he gears up for his title match later this week. John Lineker said:
“The thing was already heating up, and we solved it right there. My father always said, ‘If you fight in the street and get beaten up, you’ll get beat up at home, too.’ So, I went with everything. I’d rather hit than get beaten twice.”
He is looking to show that same willpower as he battles Fabricio Andrade in their all-Brazilian rematch for the vacant ONE bantamweight world title. The bout is set for ONE Fight Night 7 on Prime Video on February 24 in Bangkok.
John Lineker is looking to redeem himself after a nightmare outing in their first title encounter last October. It saw him first stripped of the world title after missing weight and then receiving a beatdown from Andrade.
The fight, however, ended in a no contest as John Lineker was unable to continue after being struck by an accidental knee in the groin midway through the match.
For the do-over, he has vowed to come in better prepared and reclaim the title he lost.
ONE Fight Night 7 will be broadcast live from the famed Lumpinee Boxing Stadium and will be aired for free to all Prime Video subscribers in North America.
John Lineker hints at sharper movements in rematch with Fabricio Andrade
Fully aware that he was outplayed in their first title encounter, John Lineker promises to be sharper in his rematch with Fabricio Andrade for the vacant ONE bantamweight world title later this week.
The two top Brazilian bantamweights will once again dispute the division gold at ONE Fight Night 7 on Prime Video. It will be a redo of their first showdown last October, which ended in a no contest.
Heading into the rematch, 'Hands of Stone' Lineker said his attack will still be anchored on his punching power, but he has made adjustments to his game plan to better compete with 'Wonder Boy' Andrade.
In an exclusive interview with Sportskeeda MMA, the veteran fighter said:
“The strategy won't change much, but I'm improving a few things. I've been working on footwork, how to better move my head, and how to better shorten the distance during the fight. I'm going to keep practically the same game, only more evolved.”
John Lineker was pummeled and kept guessing by Andrade last time around with his spirited movements and effective striking. While the match ended in a no contest, Lineker could not take solace in it as he knew he was dominated by his opponent.
Prior to the sorry ending to his short reign, 'Hands of Stone' was on a roll, winning four straight. That included a title-clinching win over previous longtime bantamweight king Bibiano Fernandes.
