ONE Bantamweight World Champion Bibiano “The Flash” Fernandes played down his rivalry with John “Hands of Stone” Lineker ahead of their main event showdown at ONE: BAD BLOOD this Friday, 11 February, in Singapore.
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They engaged in confrontations before their initial meeting slated for December of last year. Lineker told media that Fernandes was past his prime and that the Brazilian world champion supposedly said he would be willing to engage Lineker in a street fight. While those verbal tirades did not stop, the 41-year-old mentioned a few days before his record 12th world title defense that no bad blood exists between the pair.
“There’s no rivalry. I have nothing against him. He is the one who wanted to create something that didn’t exist. I’m a professional. I’m there to fight. That was his way of earning a title shot. That’s my job,” he said.
“He can say whatever he wants, and when it’s time for a fight, I’ll do whatever I have to. I come forward and fight, and I hope it’s a great fight for the fans, too.”
Regarding Lineker’s views that he does not deserve the bantamweight throne, the Vancouver-based world titleholder responded that he is physically and mentally prepared to complete another successful title defense.
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“In relation to my heyday being over, it all depends on how the athlete takes care of the body, mind, and diet. All I know is that I’m going to make my 12th world title defense,” the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu specialist revealed.
Bibiano Fernandes likes the matchup against John Lineker
The AMC Pankration mainstay has no time for mind games or smack talk. His only goal is to defend his bantamweight gold at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
While most pundits believe that Lineker, the #1-ranked contender, could be Fernandes’ toughest test in his time at ONE, the champion with a 24-4 MMA record views “Hands of Stone” as just another challenger.
“John Lineker is a good fighter. I liked it when they matched this fight with him, but it’s just another fight in my career,” he said.
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Catch these two bantamweights in action at ONE: BAD BLOOD by downloading the ONE Super App. Fans in India can also watch the event live on Disney+ Hotstar, beginning with the lead card at 3:30 p.m. India Standard Time (IST) on Friday, 11 February. The main card broadcasts on the same channel at 6 p.m. IST.
