"I would never escape from a war" - John Lineker on possibly facing bantamweight Muay Thai king Superlek 

Despite only having two professional bouts in 'The Art of Eight Limbs,' John Lineker may just be the dark horse of the ONE bantamweight Muay Thai division.

The former bantamweight MMA world champion continued his disruption of the stacked 145-pound striking ranks when he violently knocked out Alexey Balyko at ONE Fight Night 25 over the weekend at Bangkok's Lumpinee Stadium.

This was 'Hands of Stone's' second consecutive knockout victory in Muay Thai after he did the same to Asa Ten Pow last month at ONE 168: Denver.

While Lineker will certainly need to keep climbing the ladder to earn himself a bantamweight Muay Thai world title shot, that intriguing possibility has become closer to reality given his recent success.

If Lineker gets a crack at one of the best strikers in the world pound-for-pound, he'll be ready. The Brazilian mauler said he won't shy away from a fistfight with the mighty Superlek Kiatmoo9 during his post-event interview:

​

​

​

​

"I'm a fighter. I would never escape from a war. So as I said, I'm building up my career in Muay Thai step by step. But for sure, I would fight [him]."

Imagine Lineker's nuclear punches going against Superlek's deadly kicks and elbows. Now that's a sight to behold.

John Lineker also has his sights set on Rodtang

Superlek isn't the only Thai destroyer that John Lineker wants to lay his hands on.

As much as 'Hands of Stone' wants to regain his MMA world title, he wouldn't mind staying in the striking ranks, especially if he gets a date with 'The Iron Man' himself, Rodtang Jitmuangnon.

John Lineker called out the flyweight Muay Thai world champion in his in-ring interview with Mitch Chilson.

​

​

​

​

​

"Chatri put me to a fight against Rodtang, we’re gonna make it happen!"

The replay of ONE Fight Night 25 is available on demand for Prime Video subscribers in the United States and Canada

​

​

​