ONE Bantamweight World Champion John “Hands of Stone” Lineker isn’t affected by the heavy trash talk that he’s received from his challenger and compatriot Fabricio “Wonder Boy” Andrade ahead of their big clash this weekend.
The Brazilians take centerstage in the main event of ONE Fight Night 3 this Saturday morning, October 22, at the Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and Andrade has taken the liberty of throwing some verbal darts.
Lineker, though, plans to respond in kind once the Circle door closes.
“It doesn’t bother me at all. If that’s the way he likes to promote fights. I like to show it [inside] the cage. I don’t like to keep talking,” Lineker said.
“None of that bothers me. I take it all in stride. I like to get in the cage and show my work. I think talking is nonsense. We have to resolve it inside the cage.”
While Andrade has done the talking, Lineker actually praised Andrade’s striking when asked about his opponent’s fighting style.
“Hands of Stone” noted the world-class Muay Thai skills that Andrade brings to the fight, given how “Wonder Boy” stopped guys like Kwon Won Il and Jeremy Pacatiw.
But Lineker is unfazed, saying that while Andrade’s Muay Thai is worrisome, his own boxing skills could give anyone fits.
“He is very good at the art of Muay Thai, but I believe my boxing is very good. I don’t like to rate it, and I don’t even talk about whether it’s better or not. I know what I’m good at, and I know what I’m capable of,” he said.
“I don’t disagree with him. His Muay Thai is excellent. He’s a great fighter, but I have boxing that scares opponents, especially because of the weight of my hand. So, which one is better, I don’t know. I don’t like to keep comparing, but I believe in my potential. At what I do, I know I’m good [at].”
Andrade proclaimed that he’ll finish Lineker in the first round, but the champion isn’t having any of it.
“I think that will be a very difficult thing for him to achieve. He won’t knock me out in any round. I’m a very tough fighter. It’s not enough for my opponent to beat me, he has to kill me if he wants to beat me.”
In the meantime, catch “Globe Presents ONE Warrior Series Philippines” every Sunday night on GTV, the ONE Super App, and watch.onefc.com. Weekly replays air on Tap Go, ONE Championship Philippines Facebook, and ONE Championship’s official YouTube channel.
