"He's getting a bit old" - Fabricio Andrade gives honest assessment of his rivalry with John Lineker

ONE Championship fans have hoped to see Brazilian knockout artists Fabricio Andrade and John Lineker have a trilogy fight after their epic duology over the bantamweight MMA world championship, which Andrade won in February 2023. However, 'Wonder Boy' is unsure whether Lineker would consider it.

Speaking exclusively with Sportskeeda MMA, the 145-pound MMA king explained:

"I'm not too sure whether he wants it, you know. He's getting a bit old, he's had a lot of much easier fights since we last fought. But, you know, if it does happen, he knows it won't be an easy fight. And if I get to enjoy a full camp, it's going to be trouble for him."

Since losing to Andrade, Lineker won two more MMA fights before jumping to the 145-pound Muay Thai ranks in September 2024. His outstanding punching power led to back-to-back finishes, though Kulabdam Sor Jor Piek Uthai snapped his streak at ONE Fight Night 27 last Jan. 11.

Meanwhile, Andrade last fought then-reigning 145-pound Muay Thai king Jonathan Haggerty in November 2023 over the then-vacant bantamweight kickboxing world championship, which 'The General' claimed via knockout.

Andrade is set to return to action at ONE 170 on Friday, Jan. 24, inside the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand. He will defend the bantamweight MMA crown against former foe Kwon Won Il.

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Fabricio Andrade outlines his advantages over Kwon Won Il

Kwon Won Il is hungry to avenge his shocking knockout defeat to Fabricio Andrade in June 2022, though the Evolve MMA and Tiger Muay Thai product does not think it will come to fruition because of his greatest strengths.

In a recent interview with ONE, Andrade noted:

"I'm more complete in striking and I'm sure I'm better than him on the ground. So, overall, I'm a better MMA athlete than him."

ONE 170 is available via watch.onefc.com.