“Didn't expect anything different than a war” - John Lineker praises Fabricio Andrade for bringing it in their fight

John Lineker vs. Fabricio Andrade was a highly anticipated match-up for ONE on Prime Video 3 and it delivered on all of its hype while the fight lasted.

Despite coming to an unfortunate end when the fight was stopped due to an unintentional illegal knee, the two-and-a-half rounds that played out made up for the no-contest result.

Fabricio Andrade rose to the occasion and had the better of the contest while it lasted, standing toe-to-toe with the ferocious Lineker. After their fight, ‘Hands of Stone’ praised his opponent in an interview with ONE Championship:

“I knew that Fabricio was a very tough guy. I always said he was very talented in my interview, so I expected a tough fight. I couldn't find myself at the beginning of the fight, but I didn't expect anything different than a war against him.”

Lineker was forced to grapple with Andrade to recover after he was hurt in the first round, but later continued to headhunt ‘Wonder Boy’.

Fabricio Andrade's long-range striking allowed him to threaten Lineker’s relentless style, and as the former world champion attempted to close the distance in the third round, Andrade hurt him with a knee to the body.

The follow-up shot, which may have finished the fight, landed low to the groin of Lineker. After a period of recovery following the strike, it was clear that he could no longer continue the fight.

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Fans react to Fabricio Andrade-John Lineker’s controversial fight ending at ONE on Prime Video 3

Fabricio Andrade vs. John Lineker delivered on its promise of being a treat for the fans right up until its controversial finish.

After two-and-a-half rounds of potentially fight-ending blows being traded, Andrade caught Lineker with an unintentional illegal knee that landed just below Lineker’s belt line.

After a five-minute recovery period, Lineker said he couldn’t continue the fight and after he had missed weight going into ONE on Prime Video 3, the title now lies vacant.

With no ONE bantamweight champion and no conclusive winner, fans took to Instagram and Twitter to vent their frustrations and call for a rematch between the former champion and Fabricio Andrade:

“Lineker got lucky there. Because he is ineligible to win due to not making the weight. Plus he's been outboxed by Fabricio. We want a rematchhhh immediately!!!! 🔥”

“The knee was illegal but Lineker knew he was losing and knew it was close to him getting either KOd or TKOd. I think he took the easy way out here. Guy should have been a warrior and not acted out. It's Sterling/Yan all over again.”

“Fabricio won the fight! That’s BS first knee was so powerful and second one almost everyone could back and recover but John didn’t recovered from first knee and used second one as a excuse! He knew he lost a fight!”