John Lineker Aims To Continue Bantamweight Climb With KO Of Top-Ranked Contender Kevin Belingon
John “Hands of Stone” Lineker is ready to prove he packs an even harder punch than ONE’s bantamweight knockout king, Kevin “The Silencer” Belingon.
Lineker will attempt to topple the former ONE Bantamweight World Champion and current #1-ranked contender at ONE: INSIDE THE MATRIX III, a previously recorded event from the Singapore Indoor Stadium that airs this Friday, 13 November.
“He is definitely one of the toughest opponents I have faced,” Lineker said of Belingon in an interview with onefc.com.
“I studied lots of his videos. He seems to be a very versatile opponent. He likes to keep punching, he moves very well, but I think he is going to look for the exchanges. This is his style, just like mine.
“I’m going to look for a knockout in this fight, and I know I can get the best out of the exchanges.”
Despite his confidence, Lineker will be in for a tough fight against Belingon, who’s finished the likes of Toni “Dynamite” Tauru and former ONE World Title challenger Reece “Lightning” McLaren. There’s no doubt the Filipino wushu specialist will enter the Circle with the same bad intentions as Lineker.
Nevertheless, “Hands of Stone” believes it’s his time to shine. In fact, he’s using this contest to get himself closer to his ultimate goal.
“I am coming into ONE Championship prepared for anyone. I am ready to go against him. I don’t think he can stop me,” Lineker added.
“I am feeling great and ready for my next bout. My preparation for Belingon has been one of the best of my career, and I believe I am going to be able to show what I came here for, and that is to be the World Champion in ONE Championship.”
If he does get past Belingon and earns a shot to face reigning ONE Bantamweight World Champion Bibiano “The Flash” Fernandes, Lineker knows he’ll be in for a bumpy ride. But again, he’s confident that he’ll ultimately collect the prize he’s worked overtime for.
“I know Bibiano is a tough opponent, he has high-level jiu-jitsu. But no one can stop me at the moment,” Lineker said. “I know I have the edge. I am working really hard [to get that World Title], and I will get it.”
Will Lineker continue his climb up the bantamweight division on Friday night? Or will Belingon cement his #1-contender spot?
Find out when the main event of ONE: INSIDE THE MATRIX III goes down this Friday, 13 November, on meWATCH at 8:30 p.m. Singapore Standard Time (SGT).
Also, Channel 5 will air the event on a next-day delay at 12:30 a.m. SGT on Saturday, 14 November.
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Eustaquio Says Big-Fight Experience Will Give Him Edge Over Song
Belingon Expects ‘Fireworks’ In Much-Anticipated Clash With Lineker
