John Lineker is off to a red-hot start in his ONE Championship Muay Thai career. The former ONE Bantamweight MMA World Champion knocked out Asa Ten Pow at ONE 168: Denver in September and now has added another victory to his resume. At ONE Fight Night 25 on October 4, Lineker knocked out Alexey Balyko in the first round.
With all of his success, the thought of potential contendership is beginning to swirl. However, Lineker is still dedicated to chasing MMA glory. “Hands of Stone” is not yet ready to chase two-sport gold.
“I haven’t thought about the belt yet. I want to go step by step, and I want to focus on MMA, but I’m really happy with the opportunity of fighting in Muay Thai,” Lineker revealed to ONE.
After back-to-back months with Muay Thai wins, Lineker is ready to recoup at home. The Brazilian said he does not envision returning to action until 2025. Even though more Muay Thai matchups are a possibility, Lineker seems intent on moving back into MMA in the new year.
“Yeah, my focus is in MMA, but I’m really enjoying fighting in Muay Thai, you know, especially because this is more striking. So I don’t need to be very worried when they want to take me down, this kind of thing. But my focus is MMA,” Lineker said.
If one name could draw him back into Muay Thai, it is Rodtang Jitmuangnon. Lineker has used his post-match interviews to call out “The Iron Man” already. While the match may be unlikely, especially with the prospect of a superfight against Takeru Segawa on the horizon, Lineker is ready to put pen to paper at any time.
“It doesn’t depend on me, it depends on ONE. I’ve called [him out] already. So now I need to wait to see if the boss will make this happen,” the Brazilian said.
“Hands of Stone” would compete against Rodtang in the same fashion he has carried himself throughout his entire career — all out aggression. And Lineker is even open to the prospect of a mixed rules encounter. Still, his primary objective is to secure a trilogy against his fellow countryman and the reigning ONE Bantamweight MMA World Champion, Fabricio Andrade.
“I always go up there for the knockout, to fight, to win, and with Rodtang, it wouldn’t be different. I would go there to fight for the win. At this moment, I would like to fight against Rodtang in Muay Thai, and in MMA, I’d like to have a trilogy against Fabricio Andrade,” Lineker said.
