John Lineker aims for a massive challenge in his budding Muay Thai career: “I want to fight Rodtang”
John Lineker has his eyes on a new opponent: ONE flyweight Muay Thai world champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon.
The Brazilian MMA veteran shared this intention after marking his second win in the discipline over Russian striker Alexey Balyko at ONE Fight Night 25: Nicolas vs. Eersel II earlier this month.
However, Lineker wants their clash to go down in bantamweight or in a neutral weight class, while he also maintains his focus on mixed martial arts to reclaim his golden belt once again.
He shared this goal to combat sport journalist Nick Atkin in the post-fight interview inside the Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
'Hands of Stone' said:
"My focus is MMA, but I’m enjoying the opportunity they are giving me to fight Muay Thai."
And when asked about who he wants to fight, he clearly answered:
"I want to fight Rodtang in Muay Thai."
So far, Lineker's two fights in ONE Championship's Muay Thai ranks have been very much entertaining, with two early stoppages over Balyko and Asa Ten Pow.
Check out John Lineker's full interview with Nick Atkin below:
John Lineker wants to settle the score with Fabricio Andrade in MMA
With a successful transition to the Muay Thai ranks so far, John Lineker is itching to go back to his bread and butter, mixed martial arts, with a single goal to reclaim his ONE bantamweight MMA world title from Fabricio Andrade.
With his sights set on the 145-pound MMA kingpin, Lineker told Nick Atkin in the same interview about why that fight would be important for him:
"He hasn’t defended yet because I asked him to wait for me. So yes, I hope it happens as soon as possible."
There's a good reason for Lineker's unfinished business with Andrade.
Previously, his clash with 'Wonderboy' at ONE Prime Video 3 in 2022 ended in a no contest after an unintentional groin shot. Then, at ONE Fight Night 7, their rematch also didn't go his way after he suffered from a TKO defeat.
Fans in the United States and Canada can catch all the actions from ONE Fight Night 25 for free with an active Amazon Prime Video subscription.