Stephen Loman believes he is on the verge of contending for the bantamweight mixed martial arts championship in ONE Championship, but securing victory in his upcoming match is crucial to his pursuit.
At ONE Fight Night 14: Stamp vs Ham on Friday, September 29, “The Sniper” will face off against the prominent bantamweight MMA contender, John Lineker, in a high-stakes showdown at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. He aspires to defeat the former divisional champion and maintain his unblemished winning streak.
Stephen Loman Looking To Solidify His Challenge For World Title By Taking Out Top Contender At ONE Fight Night 14
Loman has emerged victorious in 11 consecutive fights since 2016, including all three matches within the world’s largest martial arts organization. His most recent triumph occurred at the expense of the long-standing divisional champion, Bibiano Fernandes, at ONE on Prime Video 4 last November. His remarkable victory elevated him to the position of the #2-ranked contender, and he eagerly seizes the opportunity to eliminate the only obstacle between him and the reigning ONE Bantamweight MMA World Champion, Fabricio Andrade.
“When I learned that he would be my opponent, I anticipated that ONE would arrange a fight for the #1 contender position in the division,” Loman conveyed to ONE Championship during an interview. “At least now, we have a fight. We won’t remain inactive for long before the year concludes. Hence, it’s truly fantastic news for me.”
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Similar to the Filipino star, Lineker entered ONE with a blazing start, recording knockout victories over three of his first four opponents on the global stage. His fourth win – a second-round knockout of Fernandes – propelled him to the pinnacle, earning him his inaugural World Title in MMA. Although he subsequently relinquished the coveted belt, Lineker’s body of work substantiates his status as one of today’s most formidable fighters.
Loman is no stranger to John Lineker’s in ring skills
Loman acknowledges the caliber of the opponent he is confronting, but this realization will not deter him from pursuing the pivotal triumph. He recognizes that opportunities are seized through action, not bestowed, and that he must overcome “Hands of Stone” to leave no room for doubt regarding his claim to Andrade’s throne.
“I must secure a significant victory against John Lineker. If I emerge victorious, I am confident that I will be the next challenger for Fabricio Andrade. No more uncertainties, no more hesitations — I am next in line for a championship bout,” he affirmed.
