'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAQAAAQABAAD/2wCEAAMDAwMDAwQEBAQFBQUFBQcHBgYHBwsICQgJCAsRCwwLCwwLEQ8SDw4PEg8bFRMTFRsfGhkaHyYiIiYwLTA+PlQBAwMDAwMDBAQEBAUFBQUFBwcGBgcHCwgJCAkICxELDAsLDAsRDxIPDg8SDxsVExMVGx8aGRofJiIiJjAtMD4+VP/AABEIAAYACgMBIgACEQEDEQH/xABdAAEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACBAAAwADAQEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAQIDAAQFIRETAQEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACBREAAgICAwEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQIDBBEhABIicf/aAAwDAQACEQMRAD8An/f1D0dOVFvYaOg+rYK7s9j+iqWJZiQWPmT/AN3q8iHc6coaInKe7dZoJz+KquQAPMYwVrNi0e00ryMFG2Yk7PY7+nlC2FWewAqgCVcDAwPPP//Z'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
With the way things went down in their previous title clash, Fabricio Andrade was a bit worried that John Lineker would not fight him again. Eventually, an agreement was reached and the two are now to meet in a rematch this week.
The top Brazilian fighters make another go for the vacant ONE bantamweight world title at ONE Fight Night 7 on Prime Video on February 24 in Bangkok. The redo comes after their first showdown last October ended in a no-contest.
Fabricio Andrade was dominant last time around, giving Lineker a beatdown with his activity and striking. He was seemingly on his way to victory when disaster struck late in the third round as he hit his opponent with an accidental knee in the groin.
Trending
Lineker was given five minutes to recover after but was eventually ruled unable to continue, bringing the match to an abrupt end.
Get the latest updates on One Championship Rankings at Sportskeeda and more
Speaking to MMA Underground, Fabricio Andrade said that following his first fight with Lineker, he was concerned that “Hands of Stone” would have second thoughts about fighting him again because of the manner in which he was outclassed the first time.
He said:
“After the fight, I was just a bit worried that he wouldn’t accept the rematch because he was just -- he was just not looking very good after the fight. So for me, I just didn’t like to try to really push the fight. But when he accepted the fight, I was so happy and surprised that he did accept it.”
Watch the interview below:
Heading into ONE Fight Night 7, Fabricio Andrade said he would stay aggressive in the rematch but be more precise in his attacks.
He has been training hard, both in Brazil and in Thailand, to be in the best shape possible to secure bantamweight gold.
ONE Fight Night 7 will be broadcast live from the famed Lumpinee Boxing Stadium and will be aired for free to all Prime Video subscribers in North America.
Fabricio Andrade maintains he has respect for what John Lineker has accomplished
While 'Wonder Boy' has taken his fair share of shots against Lineker ahead of this week's rematch, Fabricio Andrade maintains that he still respects what John Lineker has accomplished in his career.
The two will try to give a conclusive ending to their showdown for the vacant ONE bantamweight world title at ONE Fight Night 7 on Prime Video on February 24 in Bangkok after their first encounter back in October ended in a no-contest.
But just as he recognizes what his opponent has achieved, Fabricio Andrade warned that it would not stop him from taking it to Lineker in their rematch, claiming bantamweight gold and starting his reign as champion.
He shared in the pre-event interview for ONE Fight Night 7:
“As I said before, I have all the respect for the history that he built. I have been watching him for a long time. He's been around for a long time. So he got my respect for that. But now, it's my time. He's talking about a different time.”
Watch the full interview below:
Prior to the sorry ending in his last fight, Fabricio Andrade won all his previous five fights in dominant fashion.
