The Muay Thai circuit buzzed with excitement when John Lineker made his mark in the ONE Championship. Now, he’s gearing up for a fresh challenge: kickboxing. In a thrilling bout at ONE 172: Takeru vs. Rodtang, the formidable Brazilian is set to clash with Hiroki Akimoto in a bantamweight showdown. Although this venture may not have been on Lineker’s original agenda, he’s all set to step into the ring this Sunday, March 23.
In a surprising twist, John Lineker is venturing into kickboxing for ONE 172. “Kickboxing wasn’t really on my radar, but hey, I’m a fighter through and through, and I’m always up for a challenge. Testing myself is something I thrive on, and this is going to be another fantastic test. I’m genuinely pumped and can’t wait to see how it all unfolds. I’ve been training hard, focusing intensely, and who knows, maybe this kickboxing gig will continue after the match,” Lineker shared with ONE.
Despite his lack of kickboxing experience, Lineker will face off against Akimoto, a former ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Champion, as a notable underdog. Known as “Hands of Stone,” Lineker has been diligently strategizing by studying his Japanese opponent’s techniques. As he analyzes the matchup, Lineker emphasizes the distinct style contrast fans will witness at the Saitama Super Arena.
The anticipation for this match is palpable, as highlighted in ONE Championship’s tweet about the upcoming bout. Fans are eager to see which fighter can overcome the other’s strengths on March 23.
As Lineker recalibrates his strategy for the Akimoto fight, he notes their differing approaches. “We have very distinct fighting styles. My approach revolves around boxing — getting up close and personal to deliver powerful blows. Akimoto, on the other hand, prefers a swift, dynamic style. He’s constantly on the move, reacting quickly and delivering fast punches. It’s quite contrasting to my approach,” explained the former bantamweight MMA champion.
Having tasted defeat in his last outing, Lineker is fiercely determined to turn things around. In typical Lineker fashion, he’s planning to bring relentless energy to secure a decisive finish before the final bell. He’s adamant about not letting the fight go the distance this time.
“I’m always gunning for a knockout. Leaving a fight in the hands of the judges isn’t my style — that’s exactly what happened against Kulabdam, and it didn’t go my way, even though I believed I was leading. So come March 23, I’m swinging for the fences and aiming to knock out my opponent in every round,” declared Lineker.
The sting from his recent defeat has served as a motivator for Lineker. His initial venture into Muay Thai was promising, even putting him on the path toward title contention. However, after a loss he took issue with, Lineker felt the urge to forge ahead and explore new challenges in the arena.
Reflecting on his Muay Thai experience, Lineker shared, “I was getting really fired up about the Muay Thai bouts and was starting to eye a title shot. But the recent loss, which I felt was unjust, kind of derailed that journey. While MMA remains my primary focus, the other fights got my adrenaline pumping. When you’re winning, the excitement just builds, right? Now, I’m eager to see where the future leads,” Lineker candidly remarked.
This kickboxing bout provides an electrifying spectacle for martial arts enthusiasts and a fresh challenge for Lineker. Ever the warrior, the 34-year-old is never one to shy away from a challenge, eagerly stepping into any martial arts realm he’s summoned to compete in. For ONE 172, Lineker faces a new opponent and he’s ready to give it his all.
“I’m a fighter at heart. Always prepared. I’m keen on doing more Muay Thai and kickboxing matches, and I’m itching to participate in those special-rules superfights too. Whatever ONE Championship throws my way, I’m primed for it. I thrive on challenges, love the fight, and wherever ONE Championship places me, I’ll be there ready to battle,” Lineker asserted.
Tune in on Sunday, March 23, to catch ONE 172 live, starting at 4 a.m. EST/1 a.m. PST, broadcasting straight from Saitama Super Arena in Japan. Make sure to keep up with MMASucka.com for full event coverage.
