The Best Quotes From The ONE Fight Night 7: Lineker Vs. Andrade II Virtual Media Day
The hard work is done for the athletes competing at ONE Fight Night 7: Lineker vs. Andrade II on Prime Video, and they are ready to showcase the results of their preparation this Friday, February 24.
The rematch between John Lineker and Fabricio Andrade for the vacant ONE Bantamweight World Title tops the bill at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, and Tawanchai PK Saenchai‘s first ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Title defense against Jamal Yusupov fills the co-main event slot.
As well as these marquee battles for the gold, there’s a strong supporting card of MMA, kickboxing, and submission grappling bouts, all featuring some of the sports’ most revered competitors.
Several of them sat down and shared their thoughts about their upcoming contests during Virtual Media Day. Check out the best quotes from their final interviews before ONE Fight Night 7 broadcasts live in U.S. primetime this Friday.
Fabricio Andrade: ‘I’m Coming To Finish What I Started’
Despite the no contest result of their first battle, Andrade’s performance has him feeling confident ahead of his rematch with Lineker.
The surging Brazilian was in the ascendancy before an accidental low blow forced a premature ending, and “Wonderboy” feels certain that he’ll leave with the ONE Bantamweight World Title over his shoulder this time around.
He said:
“Coming into this one, I already know I’m the number one bantamweight in the world now. So, I come to this fight as the champion. I’m confident that I’m a better fighter, and I’m coming to finish what I started doing in the first fight.
“If he comes to fight, I will knock him out at the beginning of the fight. But in the first fight, we saw that he respected my game. He was walking back a lot and trying to wrestle me, something that we agreed we wouldn’t do before the fight. So, coming into this fight, I’m not going to give him any chances.
“I’m going to take my time. I have 25 minutes to finish him. I don’t believe I need 25 minutes to finish him, but I’m just going to be patient, and I’m going to be ready to knock him out in any second of this fight.”
Tawanchai PK Saenchai: ‘There’s Nothing To Worry About’
Tawanchai will defend his ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Title for the first time against Yusupov.
The Bangkok resident is not fazed by the firepower his hard-hitting Turkish challenger brings to the Circle, but he’s not ready to make any bold predictions. Instead, he implores the fans to tune in and witness his performance.
He said:
“The strengths of Jamal are he’s a heavy hitter and his footwork is excellent. I have already prepared to take care of this, and let’s see it in the ring.
“I have faced a lot of heavy hitters in my life, and also during training, I have trained with heavy hitters. There’s nothing to worry about.
“I’m not sure about winning by knockout because Jamal is a very strong fighter. [As for my] ultimate weapon, I would rather not say. I would want you guys to watch me in the fight.”
Jamal Yusupov: ‘I Want To Show A Spectacular Fight’
While Yusupov knows he has a tough opponent ahead of him, the 39-year-old Turk is looking forward to the test.
“Yeniceri” will be stepping into enemy territory to face the Thai prodigy, but that’s nothing new, and he thinks the pressure will be on Tawanchai’s shoulders when they clash at Lumpinee Stadium.
He said:
“It doesn’t affect me much [fighting in Bangkok]. I think it should affect him more because he’s kind of fighting in his hometown. He’s defending his belt. So, I believe it must be more pressure on him.
“He’s good. He’s stylistically strong. He is very fast on his legs. He’s very speedy. So, it’s going to be a very interesting fight. I’m happy to have it and be challenged.
“I just want to tell Tawanchai to get ready and be prepared to do his best because I want to show a spectacular fight.”
Danielle Kelly: ‘I Have A Few Tricks Up My Sleeve’
BJJ sensation Danielle Kelly returns for her third outing in ONE’s submission grappling ranks, and she’ll take on former MMA World Title challenger Ayaka Miura in a 119-pound catchweight contest.
Despite Miura’s judo black belt and formidable submission skills, the 27-year-old American thinks her Japanese foe will struggle in her domain.
Kelly said:
“I’m pretty confident [about getting another finish]. I’m looking forward to putting on a really fun show, or a quick show, depending on how I feel.
“I’m just debating with myself if I want to keep the match short, just submit her right away, or make it fun. But I’m going to be way lighter than her, so I don’t know if I want to play with her too much.
“She’s really good. She’s strong at what she does. But yeah, I have a few tricks up my sleeve.”
Ayaka Miura: ‘I Will See If I Can Finish Danielle Kelly’
Miura has spent years focusing on her all-around game for mixed martial arts, but she’s gone back to her roots as a pure grappler to prepare for Kelly.
The 32-year-old judoka has showcased her takedown and submission skills already inside the Circle, and she feels like she has some advantages over her American rival.
Miura said:
“I think my physical strength and the judo skills I use in MMA are better than Danielle’s, and I can show it in this grappling match.
“I will see if I can finish Danielle Kelly. She will watch out for my ‘Ayaka lock’ – the one that everyone saw in past fights. But I’m training other techniques – maybe I will showcase another side of Ayaka. I just want everyone to enjoy this fight.”
