ONE Fight Night 27 preview and predictions: Kulabdam vs. John Lineker

A battle pitting two of the hardest-hitting bantamweights, John Lineker and Kulabdam Sor Jor Piek Uthai, is set to thrill the world at ONE Fight Night 27 this Friday, Jan. 10.

Both men have relied on their unforgiving combinations and one-punch power to amass some of the most brilliant knockouts inside the ONE Championship Circle since 2019.

Lineker's 'Hands of Stone,' which needs no further introduction, will be his key to victory in this bantamweight Muay Thai tussle.

For Kulabdam, he hopes his left fist, which earned him the moniker 'Left Meteorite,' will help him put a halt to the Brazilian's perfect 2-0 foray in the discipline.

Before they collide, Sportskeeda MMA's team of experts share their thoughts and make their picks on this epic showdown, which will air live in U.S. primetime from the revered Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

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Ted Razon: John Lineker by TKO

We can expect some wild haymakers getting thrown in this three-round fireworks display between two certified headhunters.

Being the wily Muay Thai veteran that he is, I expect Kulabdam to have done his due diligence and don’t allow John Lineker to get comfortable right off the bat.

‘Left Meteorite’ should turn this into a phonebooth match early and often and wear down the Brazilian from the clinch with slicing elbows and punishing body shots.

‘Hands of Stone’ doesn’t just hit hard. He’s also quite durable as well, and I expect him to absorb Kulabdam’s left hook.

Controlling the distance will be key for Kulabdam to somehow lessen the torque of John Lineker’s power shots. However, the Thai must still be wary of the former bantamweight MMA champion’s concussive uppercuts if he decides to turn this into a clinch war.

While Kulabdam can seize control with this tactic, Lineker should find a way to create some separation. We know all it takes is one swinging hook from Lineker to turn the tide of any match.

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James De Rozario: John Lineker by KO in R2

While both men match pretty evenly in terms of power, Kulabdam lacks the one thing that John Lineker has: A granite chin.

As such, I see the former ONE bantamweight MMA world champion enjoying another knockout win in 'The Art of Eight Limbs' to cement his name as a legitimate presence in the 145-pound division.

Both men will swing at a relentless pace to establish dominance. But as the match slowly unravels, the Brazilian will have more success at landing and hurting his opposite number.

That said, I see him eating tonnes of elbows, knees, and punches when he explodes in the pocket as Kulabdam is never one to back out from a war.

However, when push comes to shove, Lineker knows how to sneak in with the decisive punch. He has yet to be separated from his senses in 51 fights, 49 of those in MMA, and I expect him to survive the merciless power that 'Left Meteorite' packs on his way to a highlight-reel moment late in round two.

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Vince Richards: John Lineker by KO

While many critics decried John Lineker’s one-dimensional style, it can’t be denied that the former ONE bantamweight MMA world champion’s headhunting style has produced immense results.

Nevertheless, Lineker believes Kulabdam will be the toughest test of his young Muay Thai career.

Kulabdam is as crafty as anyone and earned the nickname ‘Left Meteorite’ for his penchant for knocking people out with one strike.

I expect Kulabdam to unleash every possible weapon Muay Thai will allow him to against Lineker in their ONE Fight Night 27 showdown.

Lineker, though, has the power that Kulabdam has yet to encounter.

If Kulabdam can’t keep Lineker at bay, then he’ll be in big trouble against the man known as ‘Hands of Stone’.

This could very well be another knockout victory for Lineker, but he’ll have to fight through hell to get that result.

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Mike Murillo: Kulabdam by KO in R3

John Lineker has been on an impressive roll in his Muay Thai foray, with back-to-back KO wins, and enters his clash with Kulabdam on a high. He, however, should hit a roadblock when he takes on ‘Left Meteorite’ at ONE Fight Night 27 this week.

Kulabdam is presenting a tough challenge to ‘Hands of Stone,’ which could lead to the latter absorbing his first Muay Thai defeat in ONE. I see it coming by way of knockout in the third round.

It is the Thai fighter’s contest to lose, considering he has competed in Muay Thai for most of his life and has seen a lot in the game as compared to John Lineker, while an experienced warrior, is traditionally an MMA fighter.

The Brazilian star, however, remains dangerous because of his KO power as his previous Muay Thai opponents came to realize devastatingly.

But his ability to go the full route in Muay Thai remains a suspect, something Kulabdam could capitalize on in going for a KO late in the match.

North American fans with an active Amazon Prime Video subscription can catch the entire ONE Fight Night 27 card for free.