Fabricio Andrade is confident that if things remain on the feet with John Lineker, he takes him out.
Andrade (8-2-1) will run things back with Lineker (35-9-1) for the vacant bantamweight title in the ONE on Prime Video 7 main event Feb. 25 at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
Their first fight this past October at ONE on Prime Video 3 was ruled a no contest after an accidental groin shot by Andrade rendered Lineker unable to continue. Because Lineker missed weight, he was stripped of his bantamweight title, so only Andrade was eligible to become champion.
Prior to the unfortunate stoppage, Andrade boxed Lineker’s eye shut and had him hurt. The 25-year-old thinks he was en route to a finish had he not fouled Lineker by mistake.
“If he comes to fight, I’ll knock him out in the first round,” Andrade said in an interview with ONE Championship. “But we saw in the last fight he tried to wrestle with me, something we had agreed not to do. … I’m just going to be patient. I’ll be ready to knock him out at any second in the fight.
“I don’t believe he thinks he can win this fight. If he does, he’s delusional.”
Although he didn’t walk away with the title, Andrade is brimming with confidence heading into their rematch.
“This camp was much more enjoyable than the last one,” Andrade said. “I think before the last fight I put a lot of pressure (on myself). … Ahead of this one, I already know I’m the No. 1 bantamweight in the world. I’m coming to the fight as a champion and to finish what I started in the first fight.”