Fabricio Andrade Brands Bantamweight King John Lineker as an ’Easy Opponent – “I’m Gonna Finish Him in the First Round”

Fabricio Andrade doubled down on his callout of ONE bantamweight champion John Lineker. The future bantamweight challenger, who is confident in his skills, didn’t shy away from letting the world know of it. ‘Wonder Boy’ analyzed the ONE bantamweight champion’s skills and claimed ‘Hands of Stone’ is sidestepping him.

In an interview with the South China Morning Post, Andrade said, “He [John Lineker] can’t touch me… He’s 159 [lbs], like he’s so small… I’m not just talking sh**, I’m not disrespecting him. I’m saying what I believe, I’m gonna finish him in the first round and that’s a fact. He knows it. He knows that I’m gonna finish him. That’s why he’s avoiding me.”

When asked about the matchup and why he thinks he would get past ‘Hands of Stone’, the surging contender said, “Because I’m a complete fighter… and I’m smart; I am not gonna go 50-50 with him, you know, he’s so small; why would I even engage in a 50-50 strike with him? I don’t have to do that.”

‘Wonder Boy‘ described Lineker’s skills as ‘nothing’ but ‘just hands’ and labeled the veteran bantamweight as a ‘limited fighter’ who is an ‘easy opponent’.

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The young fighter was adamant about the champion’s skills and believed he would get his hand raised in the first round when the promotion finally makes it official.

In 2022, Andrade got an impressive liver kick knockout win against his ONE 158 opponent, Won Il Kwon. This June 6 win was his second of the year, as he previously defeated Jeremy Pacatiw in round 1 with knees to the body on February 25. Thus, he’s riding a wave of solid momentum ahead of his first world championship bout.

Fabricio Andrade wants to achieve World Champion status

The 24-year-old has looked distinct in his ONE Circle appearances because of his impressive finishes one after the other. Andrade, who has competed in kickboxing and Muay Thai before, wants to become the best in the sport of mixed martial arts. And for that, he knows he has to cross the John Lineker hurdle.

When asked how would it feel to get the ONE World Title wrapped around his waist by ONE CEO and Chairman, Chatri Sityodtong, Andrade said, “It’s amazing, amazing, that’s always what I have worked for my whole life, man, like… I haven’t been World Champion yet, you know. So, I think that’s my main goal now. You know, I want to be a world champion.”

The striking phenom expects the champion to shoot for takedowns. However, he believes it would only make Lineker tired, which would eventually offer him a finish.

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What do you make of the Fabricio Andrade vs John Lineker matchup? Share your thoughts in the comments section.

Source: | This article originally belongs to Essentially Sports