“ONE is not second to any other organization” - John Lineker explains what sets ONE Championship apart 

Reigning ONE bantamweight world champion John Lineker feels right at home inside the Circle.

The 32-year-old veteran has fought in some of the most recognizable MMA outfits in the world, with stints in promotions based in his native Brazil and North America. Lineker, however, acknowledges that signing with ONE in 2019 is arguably the best career decision he has ever made.

After four matches under the ONE umbrella, including his world championship-winning bout against Bibiano Fernandes in his last outing, the Brazilian KO artist says he wouldn’t want to be fighting anywhere else. ‘Hands of Stone’ is particularly fond of the promotion’s core company values, including reviving the Bushido Code, aka the Japanese way of the Warrior.

He said in an exclusive interview with ONE Championship:

“ONE is a great promotion! The appreciation they give to athletes is incredible, they treat athletes like true samurai. This is what stands out the most about ONE compared to other organizations.”

ONE has grown into the largest martial arts organization in the world for bringing several combat sports disciplines to the global stage. Aside from MMA, ONE has shone the spotlight on kickboxing, Muay Thai and, most recently, submission grappling.

Moreover, John Lineker appreciates ONE’s revolutionary take on the controversial extreme weight-cutting in MMA. The promotion pretty much abolished weight-cutting by introducing hydration tests, which implores fighters to fight closer to their natural weight.

Lineker, of course, has had his share of battles with the scales over the years.

The American Top Team product is grateful for ONE for not subjecting their fighters’ bodies to such unnecessary punishment right before they step into the Circle to go to war:

“Another thing that I highlight is the weigh-in method because it doesn't take the athlete to have that physical and emotional exhaustion. ONE is not second to any other organization. They are excellent, they have great professionals in all areas. But, in my opinion, the main thing is the treatment given to the athletes and then the weigh-in method.”

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John Lineker’s advice to challenger Fabricio Andrade

Without worrying about depleting himself just to make weight for his fight, John Lineker can focus all his attention on training for his next challenger.

‘Hands of Stone’ will defend his 145-pound throne for the first time against the ever-dangerous Fabricio ‘Wonder Boy’ Andrade at ONE on Prime Video 3 on October 21. The bout marks ONE’s return to the Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and will be broadcast live on US primetime via Prime Video.

While Lineker has been busy putting in the work at the gym, his 25-year-old foe has been taking verbal shots at him non-stop in the build-up to their match. Andrade’s words, however, don't seem to faze John Lineker one bit.

After all, he’s gotten used to dealing with big talkers over the course of his storied career.

With less than a week before these two alphas lock horns inside the Circle, Lineker offered a piece of short but sweet advice to his opponent:

“The advice I give to Fabrício is talk less and do more.”