One Championship 145-pound kingpin John Lineker would like to get back to action sooner than the organization has planned for him.
Lineker claimed the title by knocking Bibiano Fernandes out cold with one punch in March at the appropriately titled “Lights Out” event. The likely next challenger for Lineker’s first defense is expected to be a fellow countryman: Fabricio Andrade, who challenged the division’s top fighter after his own victory in June. Lineker spoke to Sherdog on Thursday about the possible matchup, as well as one more he is watching out for should the opportunity arise.
“I’m an employee, whoever ONE FC decides, I’ll be ready,” Lineker explained. “Unfortunately, these guys started to promote the fight in a disrespectful way. I really don’t like that, and my opponents should learn that they just get [me] more motivated to knock them out.”
The man known as “Hands of Stone” did like the potential pairing with Andrade, as he feels it would lead to him having a more interesting camp to prepare for “Wonder Boy.”
“I like to fight against fighters that don’t walk backwards, like Fabricio, where I can focus more on my striking. Against Bibiano, I never trained so much jiu-jitsu and wrestling in my entire life,” Lineker lamented.
When visiting manager Alex Davis’ farm in Rio de Janeiro, Lineker revealed that he believes One will promote his first title defense around September. If he had the choice, however, he would come back much sooner than that – even this summer if possible.
“As soon as possible, I want to be an active champion,” Lineker stated in regards to when he would prefer his next fight.
Lineker fought at 125 pounds and 135 for much of his career before joining the One ranks, which has weight policies that required Lineker to shift to 145. Lineker has appeared more comfortable in this range, but there is one particular fight that would prompt him to drop down in weight. Should a potential bout with Demetrious Johnson ever come to fruition, Lineker would be happy to move back down – providing the latter gets past his next challenge of Adriano Moraes. In April 2021, Moraes became the first fighter to ever finish “Mighty Mouse,” knocking the longtime Ultimate Fighting Championship great out with a crushing knee. The two will rematch in August. Lineker is not entirely focused on the winner of that match, but it is something he enjoys thinking about.
“My focus now is 100% in my division,” Lineker said. “I don’t have interest to fight Adriano ‘Mikinho,’ who is my former [American Top Team training] partner and personal friend, but in case Demetrious Johnson wins the [rematch], I would accept to face him in a superfight.”
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