ONE Championship: Bibiano Fernandes laughs off John Lineker’s power – ‘I can knock him out too’

ONE bantamweight champ is set to defend his title against fellow Brazilian in early 2022

‘The Flash’, who hasn’t fought in more than two years, is ‘ready to feel that intensity, I miss it’

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Bantamweight champion Bibiano Fernandes celebrates in Tokyo. Photos: ONE Championship

Published: 1:32am, 25 Nov 2021Updated: 5:49am, 25 Nov 2021

ONE Championship bantamweight king Bibiano Fernandes is not intimidated by John Lineker. In fact, after almost two years away from competition, the champ couldn’t be more excited to defend his title against the power-punching contender.

The 41-year-old Fernandes, one of the most accomplished champions in ONE history, hasn’t fought since an October 2019 submission win over Kevin Belingon.

The Brazilian, who now makes his home in British Columbia, Canada, would have liked to have fought again by now, but has been unable to do so because of the pandemic and a brief contract dispute with ONE.

“I’m ready to go,” Fernandes told the Post. “I wish I could have fought two years ago; I wish I could keep it going, but it’s not in my control.”

In the time that Fernandes (24-4) has been away from the cage, Lineker (34-9) migrated from the UFC to ONE Championship, and picked up a trio of impressive victories over Muin Gafurov, Belingon, and Troy Worthen – the latter two coming by way of knockout.