John “Hands of Stone” Lineker believes the reign of longtime ONE Bantamweight World Champion Bibiano “The Flash” Fernandes is coming to an end.
These fierce warriors will collide for all the marbles in the main event of ONE: BAD BLOOD on Friday, February 11, at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. Lineker is convinced that the fight will stop his compatriot’s lengthy domination.
“As Bibiano has been out of action for some time, I believe his heyday is over,” Lineker told ONEFC.com.
“Today, I don’t see him at his peak, mainly because of the time he was away.”
The event’s title is appropriate because of the genuine animosity between the two Brazilians.
After beating former ONE Bantamweight World Champion Kevin “The Silencer” Belingon and “Pretty Boy” Troy Worthen, Lineker excitedly made his intentions known as the next challenger to Fernandes’ title.
It’s something that “The Flash” didn’t take lightly, and they have been trading verbal jabs ever since.
“In fact, it was Bibiano who created this rivalry because there was no rivalry between us. When I posted on my Instagram that I wanted to fight for the title, it wasn’t [necessarily] Bibiano himself. I wanted to fight against the champion because my goal was to fight for the belt,” the #1-ranked bantamweight contender explained.
“I wrote that I wanted the opportunity to fight for the title, that it was past time, that I was ready, and that it was my moment. And then he got offended and replied, saying that I wasn’t a professional.”
Still, “Hands of Stone” is confident that he will be the one to finally put an end to Fernandes’ nearly decade-long possession of the bantamweight crown.
“This is my moment, and I believe he’s never fought a guy like me. I’m an aggressive guy who never backs down, who walks forward all the time, and has a very heavy hand,” he mentioned.
“My opponents know this very well, so my confidence is in what I can do and what I’ve done in my past fights. And what I can say is that I’m very prepared to nullify any submission attempt by Bibiano.”
Lineker’s confidence is sky high entering this match, and he sees an early finish if he will have his way.
“I’m training to knock him out. As in all my fights, I go to knock out my opponents. I don’t like to leave the decision to the judges. Sometimes, it happens, but I always try to finish the fight before the full fight time,” the American Top Team mainstay shared.
“I believe he’ll strike with me at the beginning, and for sure, will try to use his grappling and jiu-jitsu game. But I’m training a lot, and I know I’ll be able to nullify his game and get the knockout.”
Catch Fernandes and Lineker go toe-to-toe for the ONE Bantamweight World Championship at ONE: BAD BLOOD on February 11. Watch the event live by downloading the ONE Super App or by visiting its official YouTube channel.
