“It’s Going To Be a Tough Fight for Fabricio” – John Lineker Weighs-In on Fabricio Andrade and Jonathan Haggerty Matchup

John Lineker will be eager to see how two of the best strikers in ONE Championship’s bantamweight ranks match up against each other, and he has a slight favorite ahead of the monumental ONE Fight Night 16 main event.

On Friday, November 3, the stacked division’s MMA king, Fabricio Andrade, and Muay Thai titleholder, Jonathan Haggerty, will compete for the vacant ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Championship, and Lineker will have both eyes locked on the action.

John Lineker picks Jonathan Haggerty over Fabricio Andrade

Known for his explosive hands, ‘Hands of Stone,’ definitely enjoys a good striking battle, which he believes this pairing will deliver. Having fought Andrade on two separate occasions, he acknowledges his Brazilian compatriot is well-equipped on his feet. But he also recognizes that transitioning from MMA–where he has fought throughout his tenure in ONE–back to kickboxing could be a challenge for ‘Wonder Boy.’

“It’s going to be a tough fight for Fabricio because Jonathan Haggerty is a Muay Thai specialist,” he told ONE in a recent interview. “Despite Fabricio having done some Muay Thai and kickboxing fights, he ended up migrating and focusing more on MMA. But I believe that Fabricio can do well in this fight because he’s a great striker.”

Read More: “He Is a Very Technical Fighter” – Fabricio Andrade Eager to See How Jonathan Haggerty Will Perform Under Kickboxing Rules

Andrade has utilized his striking skills to immense effect across his six wins in ONE, and he will have a chance to do what he does best without fear of takedowns in his upcoming fight. But Lineker believes it will be dangerous for him in close range against Haggerty, who has only competed in Muay Thai during his promotional run.

Lineker’s prediction for the ONE Fight Night 16

With that in mind, the former bantamweight MMA king gave his thoughts on who he thinks will become ONE’s latest two-sport titleholder on November 3.

Read More: “There Will Be a Big Difference in Power” – Fabricio Andrade Warns Johnathan Haggerty About the Danger of Facing Him

“I believe that Fabricio will work more in the long distance, playing the straight shots and working on the kicks. And Jonathan Haggerty will try to play close range and work on his knees and kicks,” Lineker said. “I don’t follow many Muay Thai and kickboxing fights, but from what little I’ve seen, Haggerty kicks very well. I think he’ll explore the kicks a lot, and I believe Jonathan Haggerty can get a knockout.”