Reigning ONE Bantamweight World Champion Bibiano “The Flash” Fernandes didn’t mind waiting another month for his long-awaited clash with current top contender John “Hands of Stone” Lineker.
The pair of Brazilian stars will finally go at it at ONE: Lights Out this Friday, at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
They were initially set to compete a month ago at ONE: Bad Blood, but Lineker had to pull out after he tested positive for COVID-19 a week before the bout. With both men healthy, Fernandes is confident that nothing has changed despite the delay.
“No, [the delay wasn’t difficult]. I’m a professional athlete. I’ve been doing this since I was 14. There are things that are out of my control, but I am a warrior. I am prepared mentally and physically for whatever comes and goes,” Fernandes told ONEFC.com.
“I went back to my camp, and I’m training hard to do a good job on the day of the fight. Mentally, I got even stronger. I’m very well-prepared and focused on my goal, which is victory.”
A lot of people expect this clash to be a classic striker-versus-grappler affair with Lineker getting the edge should the match stay on the feet.
But the 41-year-old doesn’t mind exchanging strikes with “Hands of Stone,” as he’s not a believer in Lineker’s hand skills.
“I don’t think he has dangerous striking. He has only good punches. I saw a lot of his fights, I studied his game with my coaches, and we saw that he has some really good hooks. He’s a short guy, which, in my opinion, helps him throw those punches,” Fernandes said.
“But I’m not worried about his striking or his skills. I’m very focused, and I know I’m going to go through Lineker. I know I will win this fight.”
And when it goes to the ground, “The Flash” is confident of another highlight-reel-worthy finish.
“He’s not a very good guy on the ground. He (just) survives the ground fight. When someone takes him down, he always tries to get up,” he shared.
“He is taken down, goes to the corner of the cage, and tries to get up. He won’t do jiu-jitsu with me. If he does, I have no doubt that I will finish him.”
Catch ONE: LIGHTS OUT on Friday. Watch the lead card live on One Sports+ at 7 p.m. Philippine Standard Time (PHT) while the main card broadcasts live on One Sports and One Sports+ at 8:30 p.m. PHT.
Read More From ONE Championship
It’s Official: Reinier De Ridder To Face BJJ Superstar Andre Galvao In Grappling Match At ONE X
Everything To Know About The Demetrious Johnson vs. Rodtang Special Rules Super-Fight
Bibiano Fernandes Vs. John Lineker: 4 Keys To Bantamweight World Title Victory
