“I Used It to Make a Good Recovery” – John Lineker Eyes a Strong Comeback After Finding New Motivation in His Intense Training Sessions

After a tough few months, John Lineker is now in a good place, and he believes he’ll come back stronger than ever in his upcoming ONE Championship outing. “Hands of Stone” is set to return on Friday, August 4, at ONE Fight Night 13: Allazov vs. Grigorian, where he’ll meet Kim Jae Woong in bantamweight mixed martial arts action inside the historic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. 

Less than 12 months ago, Lineker had the ONE Bantamweight World Title draped over his shoulder and the world at his feet. But two meetings with current divisional king Fabricio Andrade quickly turned the tables for the Brazilian superstar, leaving him in need of some time away from competition.

John Lineker will be entering the bout with a fresh boost of energy

Lineker was stripped of the coveted belt for missing weight in the leadup to his first meeting with “Wonder Boy” at ONE on Prime Video 3 last October. That bout was ultimately ruled a no contest due to an illegal shot from Andrade, but the young star left no one in doubt when they met for the rematch. He put on a show against “Hands of Stone” this past Febuary, claiming the vacant throne via a fourth-round referee stoppage to usher in a new reign in the stacked division.

The devastating loss led to a relatively long period off for Lineker, but he says he took advantage and is now back to peak condition – in mind and body. “This time away from ONE, I used it to make a good recovery. First in my physique, then in my mind. I reflected on how to get back into the game, how to stay focused, so I worked on that psychological part a lot,” the 33-year-old told ONE Championship. 

“My personal life has not changed at all. Thank God, I have been living my life very well with my wife and children. It didn’t change anything. At the gym, we have been training more, focusing more on what I need to improve. I’ve been trying to perfect myself in everything, boxing, Muay Thai, and jiu-jitsu. I’ve been training a lot. And always focused on my goal, which is to come back strong for the game and fight for the title again.”

READ MORE – Superlek Kiatmoo9 Predicted the Fate of the Two New ONE Championship Signees

Against Kim at ONE Fight Night 13, Lineker will need every bit of his new-found motivation. “The Fighting God” has four wins in ONE, with all coming by knockout or TKO. Among his victims are former titleholders Martin Nguyen and Kevin Belingon, and he’ll be looking to take out another one when he meets “Hands of Stone” on August 4.

John Lineker stands unfazed by his opponent Kim Jae Woong

Kim is a former ranked contender in the featherweight division, and he recently decided to move up to take on the best bantamweights ONE has on offer. But Lineker has done it all and seen it all, so he’ll know how to implement every weapon in his arsenal to hunt for the win in his return to the global stage.

READ MORE – ONE Fight Night 14 Is All Stacked Up With the Addition of Two World Title Fights Featuring Danielle Kelly and a Special-Rules Bout

ONE Fight Night 13 will be broadcast live and for free on Prime Video for fans in North America with an active Amazon subscription.