“I respect all my opponents” - John Lineker respects Fabricio Andrade’s skills despite all the talk

John Lineker has been hearing nonstop trash talk from the 25-year-old Brazilian Fabricio Andrade leading up to their October 21 showdown. 'Hands of Stone' said that despite all this chatter, he still respects his opponent.

The ONE bantamweight world champion Lineker discussed this in the ONE Virtual Media Day Faceoffs:

"For sure, yeah, we have to respect everybody. I respect all my opponents, [even] the young ones. Even when they said that Bibiano was too old, I knew his potential. So I’m here to respect everybody. I respect his eagerness to fight, but I’m here to win and keep my place."

The headlining bout at ONE on Prime Video 3 will see Fabricio Andrade look to take the illustrious bantamweight throne from the reigning world champion John Lineker. This fight will be broadcast on October 21 in US primetime.

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The trash talk of Fabricio Andrade against John Lineker

'Wonder Boy' Andrade is on an impressive three-fight knockout win streak going into this battle for the crown. Leading up to this fight, the 25-year-old Andrade has been talking trash about world champion John Lineker.

Andrade was certain that Lineker was scared to fight him and publicly called him a 'chicken.' He stated:

“John Lineker has been ducking me for a long time, but after I beat Kwon Won Il, he’ll have to face me. He had already accepted to defend the belt against Kwon Won Il and that just shows that he is a chicken and is looking for an easy fight. After I beat Kwon Won Il, it will be a pleasure to fight him and finish him in the first round.”

After the fight was confirmed, while speaking to Asian MMA, Andrade was less than complimentary when he said that Lineker's striking abilities were levels below his own. Andrade said:

“But he's kind of like, not in his prime anymore. I would say he's still in his prime because he's still young. But I don't believe we are on the same level. I believe I'm on a level above him and all of those guys, but the style as well makes these fights very entertaining. Because everybody knows, somebody's going to get knocked out.”

Fabricio Andrade now has his chance to uncrown the man he has been aiming for, John Lineker. Their world title showdown is booked for October 21 on ONE on Prime Video 3.