“He doesn’t know me well” - Alexey Balyko says John Lineker will be in for a “surprise” when they trade leather
Alexey Balyko is preparing a 'big surprise' for his next opponent, veteran MMA star and former ONE world champion John Lineker.
Clashing in a bantamweight Muay Thai matchup as part of ONE Championship's Amazon card, ONE Fight Night 25, which airs live in U.S. primetime in less than 24 hours, Balyko knows that he's not facing a pushover.
Nonetheless, he's got a simple plan of his own to counter the Brazilian's massive power punches.
With a 3-1 record under the promotion's banner, he has studied Lineker well to know he should not make any silly mistakes that will result in his own defeat.
He told ONE about his plans for 'Hands of Stone' this Friday:
"I think he’ll wait for his moment as usual, hoping to catch me when I make a mistake and then end the fight. But he doesn’t know me well. I think I’ll be a surprise for him."
Indeed, Balyko will want to repeat his stunning KO victories over the likes of Suakim Sor Jor Tongprajin and Stefan Korodi earlier this year, but with a much bigger scalp in front of him.
Alexey Balyko unfazed by John Lineker's Muay Thai game ahead of their clash
Although knowing he will be faced with one of the legends in mixed martial arts, Alexey Balyko is not at all bothered by John Lineker's stand-up skills.
They will lock horns in a bantamweight Muay Thai fight at ONE Fight Night 25, and Balyko thinks that the veteran is out of his league although he might have proven himself well in MMA with his power and grappling abilities.
And, the Tiger Muay Thai fighter thinks that 'Hands of Stone' is still untested in this new discipline, ensuring that the Brazilian would have his hands full in the process.
Alexey Balyko said:
"For some reason, Lineker decided to fight in Muay Thai, which surprises me a lot. He can't even kick higher than a low kick. If he chose to grapple, I think people would be less surprised. His punches might be heavy, but they are wide and slow."
ONE Fight Night 25 will air live in U.S. primetime, free of charge for all active Amazon Prime Video subscribers in North America.