ONE Fight Night 7: Three Keys To Victory For Fabricio Andrade vs John Lineker

Add as a preferred source on Google

Bangkok, February 16: As top-ranked Fabricio Andrade and former divisional king John Lineker look ahead to their fateful rematch next week, it's clear that the top of the bantamweight division isn't big enough for the both of them.

The Brazilian bangers will collide at ONE Fight Night 7 on Saturday, 25 February, live from the iconic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, with the vacant ONE Bantamweight World Championship on the line.

The sequel comes after October's main event in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, when the South American's first slugfest ended in an underwhelming no-contest following a low blow to Lineker.

With that in mind, let's take a look at three keys to victory for Andrade in his main event clash with Lineker.

Pressure His Opponent

Andrade has expertly transitioned from Muay Thai to mixed martial arts with his aggressive, pressuring approach to fighting.

He possesses a magnificent ability to dictate a fight on the feet and force opposition to place themselves where needed, and "Wonder Boy" puts the tool to use very well.

The Brazilian showcased this in his first meeting with Lineker last year, and as the bout reached its fateful third round, the dividends looked as if they were about to pay off.

This time around, Andrade's approach shouldn't veer too far away from what he implemented at ONE on Prime Video 3. If he can remain on the front, Andrade will give himself a head start over the scrappy former ONE Bantamweight World Champion.

Make Use Of His Reach

In their first meeting, the reach difference Andrade held proved a pivotal tool in controlling the bout, and he will once again hold a significant advantage over Lineker in that realm.

Putting his strength to use again will be a very smart decision for the 25-year-old. The jabs, teeps, and ability to choose when to enter and exit has seen him take the fight from many of his opponents without taking much damage himself.

The Tiger Muay Thai talent showcased this last year en route to almost claiming the World Title, and his plan mustn't stray away again. The reach allowed him to pick apart Lineker, using his footwork to avoid most of the big wailing punches that "Hands of Stone" brought into play.

In order to leave with the World Title around his waist, Andrade should keep doing what's brought him to the dance. Counter the strikes, stay on the outside, and remain patient.

Mix Up His Combinations

The Muay Thai veteran's plethora of strikes pose a threat to all bantamweights. But while he utilises them well, Andrade has missed key opportunities inside the Circle.

The bread and butter jabs and front kicks have kept his opponents thinking. That said, becoming unorthodox in his second meeting with Lineker will be a massive factor. You don't reach Lineker's level without figuring out opponents, so variety will be key.

Mixing up his attacks with high kicks and straight rights along with controlling the distance will significantly improve Andrade's chances of taking home the gold.

Source: Media Release