FORMER ONE Bantamweight MMA World Champion John “Hands of Stone” Lineker is looking to continue his rise in the world of Muay Thai, but this time he’s taking a massive leap.
The Brazilian heavy hitter faces the biggest test in his journey in “The Art of Eight Limbs” when he tackles two-time Lumpinee Stadium Muay Thai World Champion “Left Meteorite” Kulabdam at ONE Fight Night 27 this Saturday, January 11, in Bangkok, Thailand.
Lineker took a liking to Muay Thai in 2024, scoring two explosive KO wins over Asa Ten Pow and Alexey Balyko in consecutive months late last year.
But he knows that he hasn’t faced anyone like Kulabdam, who’s coming off an impressive knockout win over Suablack this past September.
“I’ve been following Kulabdam. I’ve watched some fights, and he’s a guy who has a very versatile game, a dangerous guy. I believe it will be a test of fire for me,” Lineker said.
“Kulabdam is a guy who grew up doing Muay Thai. He was practically born doing Muay Thai. In Thailand, you are born training Muay Thai, so it will definitely be a big test for me.”
While Lineker respects Kulabdam’s capabilities, he’s confident with his own style – his boxing.
Sure, it’s not the full package that Muay Thai purists may be looking for, but the power he possesses in his hands may be enough to carry him through more experienced opposition – fighters just like Kulabdam.
“Our styles are very different. I use my boxing more, and he uses Muay Thai, so they are different styles. Let’s say that this fight will be a clash of styles, me with boxing and him with Muay Thai. It will certainly be a great fight,” he said.
“Without a doubt, the most dangerous weapons I bring to this fight are my ‘hands of stone.’”
So far, Lineker has gone two-for-two in his Muay Thai bouts in ONE, and there will be no better way to complete his trifecta of wins by putting Kulabdam on his list of victims.
“As in all my fights, I go into the ring to win by knockout. I don’t like to leave it in the hands of the judges. So it won’t be any different in this fight. I just can’t say for sure which round it will be, but I’m going to be looking for the knockout all the time,” he said.
“You can be sure that I’m going to get in the ring and put on another show for all my fans.”