Former ONE Bantamweight MMA World Champion John “Hands of Stone” Lineker has an insider’s perspective on the main event showdown between Fabricio Andrade and Jonathan Haggerty at ONE Fight Night 16 on Prime Video.
On November 3, Lineker will join fans around the globe in watching “Wonder Boy” and “The General” throw down for the vacant ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Title live in U.S. primetime from the legendary Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
“Hands of Stone” has already fought Andrade in a pair of epic MMA World Title battles, most recently suffering a TKO defeat in February at ONE Fight Night 7. Given that history, he has plenty of firsthand knowledge about his fellow Brazilian’s venomous stand-up game.
But while Lineker recognizes that Andrade is a supremely talented striker with no shortage of professional Muay Thai and kickboxing experience, he knows “The General” is a pure stand-up fighter.
With that in mind, he’s expecting “Wonder Boy” to be tested like never before in ONE:
“It’s going to be a tough fight for Fabricio because Jonathan Haggerty is a Muay Thai specialist. Despite Fabricio having done some Muay Thai and kickboxing fights, he ended up migrating and focusing more on MMA. But I believe that Fabricio can do well in this fight because he’s a great striker.”
Indeed, as the reigning ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion, Haggerty is the striker by trade, while Andrade has spent the past several years competing exclusively in mixed martial arts.
According to Lineker, the Brit is likely to hold the kicking advantage and possesses the tools to finish Andrade:
“I believe that Fabricio will work more in the long distance, playing the straight shots and working on the kicks. And Jonathan Haggerty will try to play close range and work on his knees and kicks.
“I don’t follow much Muay Thai and kickboxing fights, but what little I’ve seen, Haggerty kicks very well. I think he’ll explore the kicks a lot, and I believe Jonathan Haggerty can get a knockout.”
‘I Want That Belt’ – Lineker Targeting Another MMA World Title Shot At Andrade
No matter how the ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Title clash between Fabricio Andrade and Jonathan Haggerty plays out on November 3, John Lineker is determined to earn a trilogy showdown with “Wonder Boy” and reclaim the bantamweight MMA crown.
After winning the golden belt in spectacular fashion in March 2022, “Hands of Stone” next squared off with Andrade in an action-packed contest that ended with a disappointing no contest.
Four months later, the two Brazilians battled in a rematch, with Andrade emerging victorious after four blistering rounds of combat.
Since then, #1-ranked Lineker has reeled off two straight wins over divisional powerhouses to put himself in prime position for another crack at his rival.
He added:
“I really want to fight for the title again. I want that belt. That’s what I’m there for, to win the title. This is something every fighter seeks. As I was once champion, winning that title back would be incredible.”
