“Let’s Go to War” – Bibiano Fernandes Primed to Take On John Lineker’s ‘Hands of Stone’
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“Let’s Go to War” – Bibiano Fernandes Primed to Take On John Lineker’s ‘Hands of Stone’
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John “Hands of Stone” Lineker’s crisp and powerful punches have given him a perfect 3-0 run inside the Circle. However, ONE Bantamweight World Champion Bibiano “The Flash” Fernandes is not intimidated by his compatriot’s efficiency in the stand-up department.
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In fact, the 41-year-old divisional king wants to taste Lineker’s highly rated striking power when they meet in the main event of ONE: BAD BLOOD next Friday, 11 February.
“I’m ready to strike with anyone. I trained a lot for this fight, brought some tough sparring partners to my camp to sharpen my striking, and I’m ready for wherever the fight unfolds,” the Manaus native said.
“I’m definitely going to have to do some striking with him because that’s his style. I won’t be intimidated by his hands, though. Let’s go to war.”
Bibiano Fernandes is ready for whatever comes his way at ONE: BAD BLOOD
While Lineker may favor throwing punches to claim victory, Fernandes is aware of his fellow Brazilian’s capability to put up a good fight if the match shifts to the canvas.
After all, “Hands of Stone” has a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Though he rarely displays his grappling proficiency, the bantamweight king knows a good BJJ artist when he sees one.
“He has a good low kick, a good guillotine, has a very good hand, and hits hard. The weaknesses I won’t reveal because I will exploit them in the fight,” the multiple-time BJJ World Champion noted.
‘The Flash’ believes his fight against John Lineker won’t go the distance
Despite Lineker’s well-rounded abilities, the titleholder with a 12-1 record at ONE does not see this bout at the Singapore Indoor Stadium lasting the entire 25 minutes.
He would love to finish the 31-year-old Parana resident as soon as the match gets underway but will do so with caution because Lineker won’t be the top contender for nothing.
“I think this fight doesn’t go to five rounds. I believe that we will enter [the fight] cautiously at the beginning, analyzing what each other can offer,” the AMC Pankration mainstay said.
“But he’s a strong, explosive guy, who comes forward all the time, and I like that because most of the opponents I faced were always retreating. So, it will be a cool fight for me.”
Download the ONE Super App to witness these two bantamweight megastars collide at ONE: BAD BLOOD on Friday, 11 February.
