Top-ranked ONE Championship bantamweight contender John “Hands of Stone” Lineker put all questions to rest regarding ONE Bantamweight World Champion Bibiano “The Flash” Fernandes’ next challenger.
Lineker put on another show to remember after knocking out “Pretty Boy” Troy Worthen in the first round of their clash at the previously recorded “ONE on TNT III” on Thursday, April 22.
“Hands of Stone” certainly let those hands go, digging deep into Worthen’s torso with blistering body shots from the opening bell.
Worthen did try to turn the tide by going for takedowns, but the Brazilian was just too quick and strong as he denied the American’s advancements and kept the match as a striking battle – a battle he was bound to win.
That victory came near the end of the first round as Lineker connected on a well-timed right straight that sent Worthen to the floor before pouncing with one more shot to finish the match.
The referee stopped the bout at the 4:35 mark of the first round.
“My hands are so heavy, and before this I said I would finish the way I did. Now I’m ready to fly, and I’m ready to be a champion,” Lineker said.
“I came here to be a champ. I want Bibiano – I know I’m better than him. I am the best, and I will show that I will be the best in the world.”
In the co-main event, #4-rankled flyweight Yuya “Little Piranha” Wakamatsu snagged another huge win, this time beating #5-ranked Reece “Lightning” McLaren in a solid scrap between two of the division’s best.
Wakamatsu’s striking was just too much for McLaren to handle as the Japanese athlete answered all the Australian’s tricks in the grappling department. It was enough for him to earn a well-deserved decision win after 15 minutes of action.
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