John Lineker open to participating in $1 million Muay Thai tournament

John Lineker finds the idea of competing in ONE Championship’s $1 million open weight Muay Thai World Grand Prix intriguing.

In January 2023, ONE CEO Chatri Sityodtong made the blockbuster announcement that 16 of the world’s best strikers would battle in a WGP tournament with no weight limit. Fans immediately began fantasy booking what the tournament could look like, digging into a whole new world of dream matches previously thought to be impossible.

In an exclusive interview with Sportskeeda MMA, John Lineker appeared to be open to the idea of competing in a Grand Prix but isn’t quite sure about going into one with no weight limit.

“A million dollars as a prize would be very tempting, it would be very interesting. For sure, if it was a GP with a weight limit, I would participate. I would do very well in Muay Thai too, I would use my Boxing more, some kicks... It would be interesting to be part of a Muay Thai GP, but with a weight limit, right?”

Before ‘Hands of Stone’ can think about any of that, he will be busy preparing to fight for another big prize on February 24. Emanating from the iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, ONE Fight Night 7 on Prime Video will be headlined by a ONE bantamweight world title fight between Lineker and the No.1-ranked contender Fabricio Andrade.

---

John Lineker is open to competing in other sports under the ONE Championship banner

While John Lineker’s focus is on his main event showdown with Fabricio Andrade later this month, ‘Hands of Stone’ is considering changing things up in the future by testing his skills in the art of eight limbs and submission grappling.

“I already thought about doing some Muay Thai and grappling fights, but now I prefer to focus on this belt fight,” Lineker revealed. “But it is something that interests me for the future. Leave MMA aside for a bit and venture into Muay Thai, kickboxing, and grappling. These are future plans.”

John Lineker remains undefeated in MMA under the ONE Championship banner, but he faces the toughest test of his career in fellow Brazilian heavy-hitter Fabricio Andrade at ONE Fight Night 7. The results of that bout will likely determine Lineker’s next step inside the circle, but whether he moves into Muay Thai, submission grappling, or sticks to what he does best, fans will undoubtedly tune in to see him put his ‘Hands of Stone’ to use.

Amazon Prime Video subscribers in North America can catch ONE Fight Night 7 live and for free in U.S. primetime on February 24.