John Lineker defeats Bibiano Fernandes by knockout and is the new bantamweight champion at ONE Championship

J. Lineker knocks out B. Fernandes and is the new ONE Championship bantamweight champion. Photo: Reproduction/YouTube

BRUTAL! Only in this way can John Lineker's knockout over his compatriot be defined Bibiano Fernandes at ONE Championship on Friday morning (11). The former UFC fighter took no notice of the champion and, with a left cross, won the organization's bantamweight title (up to 61,2kg).

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Lineker had a meteoric rise in ONE and, now champion, has four victories in a row – the last three being knockouts. Known as 'Mãos de Pedra', the athlete was once one of the highlights of Ultimate and has a record of 35 positive results and nine negative results in his career in mixed martial arts.

At 41 years old, Bibiano returned on the wrong foot after a period of more than two years of inactivity. In his career, there are 29 fights – with 24 wins and five losses.

The fight

The first round started lively and with constant changes. The first initiative was made by Bibiano, who changed and put the fight down next to the cage. Lineker, however, made the save and, on approach, managed a brutal sequence of straight shots and crosses that made Fernandes wobble. However, at the 'headquarters' by definition, he received a counterattack that also made him lose his balance. Still, John did the 'sprawl' and fell on top, working elbows from the guard until the end of the round.

In the second round, the great definition. After recovering from another takedown by Bibiano, Lineker attacked with the infamous 'hands of stone' and managed to knock out Fernandes with a left cross. The former champion has already collapsed in the cage.

Words like champion

After the fight, Lineker made a point of thanking Bibiano for the opportunity to face him. He even admits that he 'wobbled' in his striking, but he believed in his hands to turn things around in the duel.

“Bibiano is a champion. I just have to thank you. He is very strong and hit me, but I believed in my hands and had this beautiful victory”, said Lineker.

John Lineker KO's Bibiano Fernandes in the 2nd #ONELightsOut pic.twitter.com/U29dDJ2ocq

— Neo Vale Tudo (@NeoValeTudo) March 11, 2022