Kim Jae Woong has a history of upsetting the odds against some of the sport’s biggest hitters.
On Friday, August 4, the South Korean slugger will attempt to do it again when he faces former ONE Bantamweight MMA World Champion and current #1 contender John Lineker at ONE Fight Night 13: Allazov vs. Grigorian on Prime Video.
“The Fighting God” knows that Lineker will be among the toughest tests of his career when they meet at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
At the same time, it’s a chance to elevate his name and crash the division’s World Title picture in front of a global audience watching live in North American primetime.
Kim told onefc.com:
“I’m so excited about it. John Lineker is a fighter who I have always admired. I was thrilled with the opportunity to face such a strong fighter.
“I see this upcoming fight as a massive opportunity for me. I believe it will be a match to showcase my growth and progress. I am preparing knowing it is a significant match, and that it will change my future.”
Of course, it’s not the first time Kim has been in this kind of position.
The Extreme Combat representative had his biggest breakthrough to date when he knocked out former two-division ONE World Champion Martin Nguyen at featherweight back in September 2021. Then in 2022, he dropped down to bantamweight and finished former divisional king Kevin Belingon.
In both of those contests, “The Fighting God” was facing high-profile opponents with elite reputations, and he believes those experiences will set him up for success against another former champ in Lineker:
“I still vividly remember feeling tense and nervous during my matches with Nguyen and Belingon. Having gone through those emotions before, I think I can overcome them well this time around.”
Kim Believes His ‘Fearless Heart’ Will Be Key To Defeating Lineker
Kim Jae Woong is well aware that #1-ranked John Lineker will be an extremely dangerous opponent in their bantamweight MMA matchup at ONE Fight Night 13.
After all, the Brazilian veteran is known as “Hands of Stone” due to the power in his fists that can change any bout in an instant.
Despite that, Kim won’t be tailoring his game plan to accommodate Lineker’s intentions. Instead, he’ll be focusing on the factors within his control and bringing a positive mindset to the bout.
The South Korean said:
“Rather than preparing specifically for the upcoming match, I am focusing on training and identifying the areas where I have experienced my shortcomings since the last match.
“I have always fought confidently and will continue to do so in this match. I believe in myself.”
“The Fighting God” also believes in his ability to withstand Lineker’s onslaught, and he plans on meeting the Brazilian’s brute force head-on.
By standing his ground, Kim thinks he can push “Hands of Stone” to his limits in a ferocious battle on August 4.
He added:
“My most dangerous weapon is my warrior’s fearless heart that is unafraid of John Lineker’s fist. I will withstand his powerful striking.
“I hope we both do our very best. It will be a difficult match, but I think it will also be fun. Apart from strategy, I want to overwhelm him physically and mentally.”
