John Lineker hopes win over Kevin Belingon at ONE Championship 120 leads to title shot

John Lineker is looking to make an immediate impact under the ONE Championship banner.

After making good in his promotional debut with a unanimous decision win over Muin Gafurov in October 2019, Lineker (32-9) faces former bantamweight champion Kevin Belingon Friday at ONE Championship 120.

Lineker, who was on the cusp of title contention in the UFC, is expecting to earn a shot at gold if he can finish former champ Belingon in Singapore on Friday.

“My preparation against Belingon has been one of my best preparations so far in my career, and I believe that I’m going to be able to show what I came for, and that is being the champion,” Lineker said in a virtual media day interview with ONE Championship.

He continued, “I studied a lot of his videos. He seems to be a very versatile opponent. He likes to kick, punch, he moves very well, but I think he’s going to look for the exchanges. This is his style, just like mine. I’m going to look for the knockout in this fight, and I know I can get the best out of the exchanges.”

Current ONE bantamweight champion Bibiano Fernandes defended his title seven times before losing it to Belingon in a split decision loss. He re-captured his title from the Filipino in the rematch via disqualification and eventually closed the chapter when he submitted him in the third round in his most recent outing last October.

Lineker said he respects the Brazilian champion’s resume but is confident that he has what it takes to dethrone him when the time comes.

“I know Bibiano is a tough opponent,” Lineker said. “He has high-level jiu-jitsu, but no one can stop me at the moment. I have the edge, I know I’m working really hard for that, and I will get it.”