Bibiano Fernandes: “If I get one choke on John Lineker, I finish that guy”
Bibiano Fernandes was scheduled to defend his ONE Championship featherweight title against John Lineker at ONE: ‘X’ on December 5, but the show was recently postponed due to pandemic concerns.
“If I get one choke on John Lineker, I finish that guy,” said Fernandes while speaking on a media call prior to the fight’s cancellation.. “One choke. If I close one triangle, I know I can finish that guy. My triangle, my D’arce, whatever. I know he cannot get out. I 100% guarantee he won’t get out. His Jiujitsu’s ok. He’s not the kind of guy who can butterfly or try something new. His jiujitsu is for escape not to attack. He tries foot locks a bit; he goes for a guillotine sometimes. That’s the thing he has. I’m ready for that guy,” he added.
Lineker, who holds a professional mixed martial arts record of 34-9, has competed three times with ONE Championship since leaving the UFC in 2019. “Hands of Stone” Lineker is undefeated in those three bouts including a unanimous decision win over Muin Gafurov, followed by finishes over Kevin Belingon and Troy Worthen.
The 41-year-old Bibiano Fernandes is considered one of the sport’s all-time greats, arguably one of the best to have never fought under the UFC banner. His 24-4 record includes three wins over Belingon. His last professional outing came more than two years ago in October 2019.
The fight against Lineker has not yet officially been rebooked.
