John Lineker says he was ready to take Fabricio Andrade down prior to unintentional groin shot

With their highly-anticipated rematch rapidly approaching, John Lineker looks back at the low blow he absorbed that ended his first bout with Fabricio Andrade.

'Hands of Stone' squared off with the rising contender last October, but the fight ended in a no-contest following an illegal groin strike in the third round.

The pair will run it back for the vacant world title at ONE Fight Night 7 on Prime Video. In the fight's lead-up, John Lineker spoke with Sportskeeda MMA regarding the groin strike. He stated:

"When he came [forward], I was already setting up the takedown, and unfortunately, the blow landed on my groin, making it impossible for me to return to the fight. But I was going to survive that round and go for the win."

Andrade was looking good prior to the low blow, but Lineker's toughness and durability cannot be understated. He hasn't been finished since 2012—and his only two losses since 2015 came against T.J. Dillashaw and Cory Sandhagen.

Watch the entire fight-ending sequence from their first meeting below:

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John Lineker says to expect improved head movement and footwork in rematch with Fabricio Andrade

The 32-year-old is a powerful and precise striker, which is evident in his four ONE Championship victories. Still, Lineker plans on showing noticeably improved striking intricacies in the rematch. He told Sportskeeda MMA:

“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.”

'Hands of Stone' rode a three-fight TKO streak into his first meeting with Andrade—finishing Kevin Belingon, Troy Worthen, and Bibiano Fernandes.

Neither the former bantamweight champ nor the contender he's facing has suffered a defeat inside the circle. However, that will change once they settle the score at ONE Fight Night 7.

Make sure to tune in to ONE Fight Night 7 on February 24 to watch the highly-anticipated rematch between John Lineker and Fabricio Andrade for the vacant bantamweight world title, live from the Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Thailand.