ONE Fight Night 3: Lineker Advises Andrade To Talk Less And Do More

ONE Bantamweight World Champion John Lineker returns at ONE Fight Night 3 on Saturday, 22 October, to light up the Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, after clinching the title from Bibiano Fernandes this past March with a stunning knockout.

This time, he faces fellow countryman Fabricio Andrade in his first championship defense – a bout that is heating up as fight night approaches. The challenger hasn’t held back his thoughts about the champion, but Lineker feels the taunting will make his victory that much greater.

“Any opponent who talks nonsense about me only motivates me. I'm more motivated to get into the cage and do my best. So, opponents who do this kind of trash talk end up regretting it later, because instead of irritating me, they are motivating me even more.

“I don't like to talk. I like to get into the cage and fight. I'm going to show him that you don't win by talking, but inside the cage showing what you're good at.”

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Andrade has remained vocal about his approach to the fight. The Muay Thai specialist feels he will finish “Hands of Stone,” a feat that nobody has yet to do. Lineker responded to that remark with a prediction of his own.

“I think that will be a very difficult thing for him to achieve. He won't knock me out in any round. I'm a very tough fighter. It's not enough for my opponent to beat me, he has to kill me if he wants to beat me,” he said.

“This fight will definitely have a lot of striking, and it will be very exciting. He's going to want to kick me a lot and come in with his knee, but I'm prepared for anything, both striking and on the ground. I see myself finishing him off in the third round.”

Fights are never won on paper, however, the difference in MMA experience between the Brazilians is significant. Lineker’s 35-9 record means he has a lot of mixed martial arts experience. 

While Andrade may hold a 40-3 record in Muay Thai, Lineker thinks the 8-2 mixed martial artist will find the occasion too much to handle.

“Having experience is a good thing because it makes you more confident in fights,” Lineker said. “But whether it can help me or not depends a lot on what you want, how much you want to win. 

“I believe in that a lot, and that's why in all my fights I always looked for what I wanted. So, the experience will help me to face situations that I've been through, and they won't shake me. The advice I give to Fabricio is: Talk less and do more.”

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