An absolute brawl is set to headline ONE on Prime Video 3 when John Lineker defends the ONE bantamweight world title against Fabricio Andrade this Friday at Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur.
Lineker and Andrade are two of the premier knockout artists in ONE Championship. If their fight trends are to continue, then their match at ONE on Prime Video 3 will be a barnburner.
The bantamweight king is 4-0 in ONE Championship and is riding a streak of three straight knockouts. Kevin Belingon, Troy Worthen, and Bibiano Fernandes have experienced just how dangerous the ‘Hands of Stone’ of Lineker’s are.
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Andrade, meanwhile, is also on a perfect run in the circle. ‘Wonder Boy’ is 5-0 in the organization and his last three fights have all ended in the first round. The No.2-ranked contender felled Li Kai Wen, Jeremy Pacatiw, and Kwon Won Il in the quickest manner to set up his world title fight against Lineker.
Striking battles have always captivated audiences and this match between Andrade and Lineker is one of the highest quality.
This fight is sure to provide fireworks and Sportskeeda MMA's ONE Championship team have tried to predict who between Andrade and Lineker will walk out of ONE on Prime Video 3 as the ONE bantamweight world champion.
Atilano Diaz: Fabricio Andrade via first-round TKO
I just don't see how John Lineker survives this one, apart from landing a phantom hook that Fabricio Andrade just doesn't see coming. I think Fabricio's just way too slick for John to land anything significant.
The 25-year-old is lightning-quick, has an amazing perception of distance and timing, and is incredibly precise with his attacks. He can predict how an opponent moves and is always a step ahead at every juncture. The other guy just swings for the fences. You gotta respect John Lineker's power, though. It has served him well up to this point.
But his reign as bantamweight king will be a short one, and I think a new king will be crowned by the end of ONE on Prime Video 3. Fabricio Andrade by first-round TKO!
Ben Imperial: Fabricio Andrade via TKO
My mind says John Lineker will defend his world title at ONE on Prime Video 3. He's never been knocked out in over 40 bouts and he looks like he hits like a truck. He'll be motivated to shut Fabricio Andrade up and bring him right back to Earth after months of talking trash to basically the whole division. It's like a king doing his duty to protect his kingdom.
That said though, my heart screams that Andrade is going to take this one. His hunger and insatiable desire to be the best make me believe that he can take the throne with brute force. If anything, Lineker can be reckless at times when he slugs it out, with Bibiano Fernandes showing he's not invincible during their match.
Andrade is right in saying that a fight isn't all about power, because even if Lineker has those ‘Hands of Stone', they are useless if it doesn't land on his opponent. Andrade's reach, speed, and technique could be key factors in neutralizing Lineker's biggest advantages.
Prediction: Andrade by way of TKO via ref stoppage. 'Wonder Boy' hits Lineker with a knee to the body when the champ goes for a rushed overhand right. Lineker goes down, but is not out just yet, until Andrade rains down the punishment to force the referee to stop the ONE on Prime Video 3 headliner.
Duane Lucas Pascua: Fabricio Andrade via decision
The ONE on Prime Video 3 main event is largely a toss-up. Both men have iron chins and devastating KO power. I think this boils down to the variety of attacks, weapons in their arsenal, and most importantly, gameplan. Lineker has two cinder blocks for fists and he uses them as his best weapons. Andrade, however, has knees, kicks, elbows, and punches.
I see Andrade copying the game plans of John Dodson and T.J. Dillashaw when they fought Lineker. He’ll frustrate the champ with a stick-and-move style. Lineker tends to have a one-track mind when he fights and gets frustrated when his opponents refuse to engage in firefights.
Andrade will narrowly beat the champ via decision after five rounds at ONE on Prime Video 3.
James De Rozario: John Lineker via second-round KO
Someone’s going to be staring at the ceiling after this one, and I see that being Andrade. The Brazilian certainly has good ammunition to trade strike-for-strike versus Lineker, but power will be of paramount importance – and that is a department where Lineker shines shoulders above his foe.
Lineker will be unleashing his hellish power from the start, and I expect Andrade to momentarily be stunned by that. And when the Muay Thai stylist decides to go berserk on the divisional king, Lineker will switch targets and go body first, face second – to seal the deal.
John Lineker via second-round KO.
Ted Razon: John Lineker via second-round KO
The judges won’t be needed in the ONE on Prime Video main event, that’s for sure. One person is going to sleep and I don’t think it’s going to be John Lineker.
In 44 career fights, Lineker has never been knocked out, and I don’t see ‘Wonder Boy’ as the guy breaking that streak. Sure, the challenger has a diverse striking arsenal and finishing ability of his own. However, if he sticks to his promise of trading blow-for-blow with ‘Hands of Stone’ on the feet, then he’s going to be in harm's way for the entire duration of the fight.
Andrade does have the speed advantage and would likely land more shots. Then again, Lineker’s destructive power is second to none and all he needs is one good shot in the main event of ONE on Prime Video 3.
Prediction: Lineker via KO. He catches Andrade with one of those haymakers in round two of the ONE on Prime Video 3 main event. And still…
Vince Richards: Fabricio Andrade via third-round KO
Both John Lineker and Fabricio Andrade already know the blueprint for sucking the souls out of their opponents. It’s almost a given that this fight will end with someone either staring up into the lights or folded in a fetal position experiencing unholy levels of pain.
I know that the ONE on Prime Video 3 main event will end in a knockout and I feel that the one holding the ONE bantamweight world title after this is Andrade.
Yes, I know that Lineker has dynamite in his hands, but Andrade’s versatility is something else. Andrade is a creative and agile striker who can hit his opponents with whatever strike he fancies. I feel that it’s this adaptable style that would allow ‘Wonder Boy’ to just go full speed ahead against Lineker.
The young world title challenger also has one trait that Lineker doesn’t have much of and that’s speed. Andrade moves fast inside the circle and he can launch a world-ending strike without even setting it up.
That said, ONE on Prime Video 3 is Andrade’s ascent and he’ll take that throne via third-round KO.