The Stars Predict John Lineker Vs. Fabricio Andrade II At ONE Fight Night 7
The martial arts world is only hours away from one of the most highly anticipated rematches in recent MMA history.
This Friday, February 24, former ONE Bantamweight World Champion John Lineker and #1-ranked contender Fabricio Andrade will settle their business in the main event of ONE Fight Night 7 on Prime Video.
Both Brazilians are determined to capture the vacant divisional crown and finally put an end to their heated rivalry at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
Just days before their first encounter at ONE on Prime Video 3 last October, Lineker failed to make weight and was stripped of his ONE Bantamweight World Title.
Though “Hands of Stone” wasn’t eligible to win the belt that night, Andrade was – and he had every intention of leaving the Singapore Indoor Stadium with gold around his waist.
It seemed like the 25-year-old phenom was close to accomplishing his goal in the third round, but an accidental knee to Lineker’s groin resulted in a no-contest ruling and a still-vacant crown.
Now, the two men are ready to run it back, and everyone is excited to see how it plays out. That includes other ONE Championship stars, who’ve given us their predictions for the main event of ONE Fight Night 7.
Marcus ‘Buchecha’ Almeida
“I’m really looking forward to seeing this fight between Fabricio and Lineker. [Their first fight] was a wild fight, but it ended up in a no contest. I saw Fabricio’s superiority, and I think he’ll come back even better and come out with the victory. This fight does not end until the end, but I think Fabricio will be the champion.”
Adriano Moraes
“Analyzing the first fight between them, there’s no way to think differently. I believe Fabrício will take the belt home. By the way he presented himself in the first fight, he showed that he was very well prepared, that he’s very technical, and that he’s not a fool when it comes to ground fighting.
“He defended Lineker’s attempts on the ground well, and certainly, Fabrício Andrade’s Muay Thai is on another level. So, I believe he will become the ONE Bantamweight World Champion.”
Anatoly Malykhin
“I can see that this time [Andrade] is even more charged than before his last fight. Now he has a lot to prove. He is young, he wants to win, he wants the belt, and he wants to honor his country in the ring.
“There can be only one end to this fight – a knockout. I think Fabricio will win, and he will finish Lineker before the fourth round.”
Jonathan Haggerty
“I feel like Andrade is in Lineker’s head a little bit. Those knees from Andrade were brilliant, but who knows? Lineker might come back with a different game plan, and he’s fought him already now. So, who knows?”
Joshua Pacio
“For me, it depends on whether Lineker can immediately adjust to the style of Andrade. But as of now, Andrade has the advantage and the momentum. For me, Andrade will get the win by knockout or decision.
“I think Andrade can easily read Lineker’s attacks and knows how to manage the distance, especially since he has the edge in both height and length. His physical advantage will come in handy again in this rematch.”
Jeremy Pacatiw
“I think Fabricio has the mental edge now and his confidence is at an all-time high. He has this mindset now of ‘I wanna kill this guy.’ He’s really pumped up for this fight because maybe he knows that he rightfully deserved to get the win in the first match, but it just ended with a low blow. Fabricio probably knows that ‘This is nothing for me, even if we go into a rematch.’
“Sometimes, all that trash talk makes you lose track of things. It’s like you’re aware of what’s been said of you and you start to lose focus. So, my advice to Lineker is to just ignore what Fabricio said, and just focus on the fight.”
