After parting ways with the ONE bantamweight world championship last year, John Lineker is set to kickstart a run back to the top at ONE Fight Night 13: Allazov vs. Grigorian on Saturday, August 5.
“Hands of Stone” will return to face divisional newcomer Kim Jae Woong, who moved up from featherweight in 2022 and is out to make a name for himself in the bantamweight ranks.
As he finds himself moving from champion to contender, Lineker believes a scrap with “The Fighting God” is exactly the kind of contest he needs to renew his drive for greatness.
“What excites me the most about this fight, regardless of the opponent, is that I have the opportunity to get back in the game and pursue my goal, which is to fight for the title again,” he said.
“I think that whatever fight I do from now on, what will excite and motivate me is this opportunity to seek the title again. So, regardless of the opponent, my goal is to fight for the title again.”
The Brazilian veteran’s attitude towards fighting has long made him a fan favorite wherever his career has taken him.
And his upcoming clash of style with Kim should provide the audience inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Boxing Stadium, and those watching around the world with unmissable action.
While he expects a slugfest with the South Korean standout, the former ONE bantamweight king feels his superb striking will give him the edge on the night.
“His game is boxing. He plays more in the long distance. He’s very versatile, he works well on takedown defenses, and he’s also a guy who kicks a lot. But I believe that, in striking, we will put on a show because we both like striking more,” Lineker said.
“I believe I’ll be able to fit my punches more, working hard on the punches in the waistline. As I said, he is a striker who works in the long distance, and I like to work more in the short distance. I believe that I can hit him more with my striking.”