Demetrious Johnson only had praise for Brazilian hard-hitting slugger John Lineker after his highlight-reel win at ONE 168: Denver.
The former ONE bantamweight MMA world champion returned to action in a bantamweight Muay Thai scrap against Asa Ten Pow on the Sept. 6 bill inside Ball Arena, and he didn't disappoint one bit.
'Hands of Stone' went into attack from the get-go, hopping into enemy territory with heavy leather that left Ten Pow with no room to advance. The 34-year-old threw everything out of his pocket, hooks, jabs, uppercuts, and eventually, a clean right hook to the jaw dropped 'The American Ninja' at 2:50 of the second frame.
Looking at John Lineker's crushing win before he entered the Circle to bid farewell to the sport, 'Mighty Mouse' shared:
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"John Lineker...he beats the sh*t out of people! And, damn, he beat the f**k out of him."
The Brazilian's statement finish in Denver, Colorado, got his Muay Thai career off to a flyer. At the same time, the OCS Jiu-Jitsu star earned a US$50,000 performance bonus from ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong.
Watch the clip here:
John Lineker pleased to live up to his moniker in Denver
Meanwhile, the Brazilian knockout specialist himself is pleased to have secured his fifth knockout win on the global stage.
Above all, he's grateful that he was given the opportunity to showcase why he's been bestowed with the nickname 'Hands of Stone' in Denver, Colorado.
Speaking during the post-fight interview with Mitch Chilson, Lineker shared:
"I want to say thank you to ONE, honestly, thanks to everybody here. I proved my name. 'Hands of Stone' and Chatri, put me to fight in [Muay Thai]. I want to box."
North American fans with an active subscription can catch the ONE 168: Denver replay via Amazon Prime Video.