John Lineker lit up the Muay Thai world in ONE Championship and now he’ll attempt his hand at kickboxing. At ONE 172: Takeru vs. Rodtang, the Brazilian powerhouse meets Hiroki Akimoto in a bantamweight warfare. Whereas the match could not have been on his bingo card, Lineker is ready to provide it a go on Sunday, March 23.
John Lineker Turns to Kickboxing in ONE 172
“It wasn’t actually in my plans to do a kickboxing struggle, however I’m a fighter, and I’m prepared for any struggle. Like I stated, I like to check myself, so it’ll positively be an excellent check as soon as once more. I’m very completely happy and excited, and we’ll see what occurs with this struggle. I’m getting ready rather a lot. I’m very targeted, and we’ll see if after this struggle we will proceed to do different kickboxing fights,” John Lineker revealed to ONE.
With a scarcity of expertise within the sport, towards a former ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Champion, John Lineker will enter as a determined underdog. “Arms of Stone” is prepping for battle by inspecting the Japanese star’s sport. In breaking down the matchup, Lineker detailed the distinction in types followers will see inside Saitama Tremendous Area.
BANGER ALERT
Former ONE Bantamweight MMA World Champion John Lineker makes his kickboxing debut towards former ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Champion Hiroki Akimoto in Japan on March 23 at ONE 172: Takeru vs. Rodtang! Who you bought?#ONE172 | Sunday March 23 2025
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John Lineker Updates Gameplan For Akimoto Struggle
“We have now very totally different types. My sport is extra of a boxing sport, the place I attempt to shorten the space and land blows from shut vary. His type is quicker. He’s a man who doesn’t stand nonetheless in entrance of his opponent. He reacts shortly and throws punches. It’s a really totally different type from mine,” the previous bantamweight MMA king stated.
After a disappointing end in his final match, the Brazilian is on the lookout for redemption. In John Lineker’s trademark trend, he plans to carry the warmth and end earlier than the ultimate bell. He has no plans to go the space on March 23.
“I at all times struggle to knock out my opponents. I’m a man who doesn’t like to go away the struggle within the arms of the judges, as occurred in my final struggle towards Kulabdam. It was left within the arms of the judges, and it ended up being a really unhealthy outcome, though I believed I used to be successful the struggle. So, I’m going to search for the knockout on a regular basis, in each spherical. My prediction for this struggle is that I’ll win by knockout,” Lineker talked about.
John Lineker Finds Motivation After Defeat in January
John Lineker’s first foray into Muay Thai yielded unimaginable outcomes. A lot in order that he was starting to succeed in title rivalry. Nevertheless, after his final loss, “Arms of Stone” felt like he wanted to maintain urgent ahead and search different alternatives.
Rollercoaster of feelings
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“I used to be getting actually excited in regards to the Muay Thai fights and was excited about a potential title shot, however I feel with this loss, which I assumed was a bit unfair, it ended up affecting my title run. In fact, my focus is MMA, however the fights I used to be doing had been getting me actually excited. After we’re successful, we get actually excited, proper? However let’s see what occurs. Now I wish to transfer on and see what the long run holds for me,” the Brazilian said.
The kickboxing showcase is an thrilling matchup for all martial arts followers, and it’s an thrilling alternative for Lineker. The 34-year-old by no means backs down from a problem and desires to be lively in any martial artwork he will get the decision to compete in. At ONE 172, his newest problem arrives and he plans to provide it his all.
“I’m a fighter. I’m at all times prepared. I wish to struggle Muay Thai once more. I wish to do different kickboxing fights and likewise these super-fights underneath particular guidelines. I’m able to struggle, it doesn’t matter what modality, I’ll settle for it. I like challenges. I wish to be combating, and wherever ONE Championship places me, I’ll be prepared,” John Lineker stated.
ONE 172 airs reside on Sunday, March 23. The occasion begins at 4 a.m. EST/1 a.m. PST from the Saitama Tremendous Area in Japan. Keep tuned with MMASucka.com for full occasion protection.
