John Lineker Braces for a "Test of Fire" Against Kulabdam at ONE Fight Night 27

John Lineker, the former ONE Bantamweight MMA World Champion, is no stranger to challenges. Known as “Hands of Stone,” the Brazilian legend has conquered numerous opponents in MMA and now faces a new frontier in Muay Thai. On Friday, January 10, Lineker will clash with the renowned knockout specialist Kulabdam in an explosive bantamweight showdown at ONE Fight Night 27: Tang vs. Abdullaev, held at Bangkok’s iconic Lumpinee Stadium.

Both fighters have been part of the ONE Championship roster since 2019, and their meeting has been eagerly anticipated by fans worldwide. For Lineker, this fight is more than a battle; it’s an opportunity to measure his skills against one of Muay Thai’s finest.

“I’ve been following Kulabdam. I’ve watched some fights, and he’s a guy who has a very versatile game, a dangerous guy. I believe it will be a test of fire for me,” Lineker admitted.

Kulabdam’s journey in Muay Thai began early in his life. Lineker acknowledges the depth of his opponent’s experience, noting,

“Kulabdam is a guy who grew up doing Muay Thai. He was practically born doing Muay Thai. In Thailand, you are born training Muay Thai, so it will definitely be a big test for me.”

Despite this challenge, Lineker is not content with stopping here. His ultimate dream is a showdown against Rodtang Jitmuangnon, the reigning ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion. Known as “The Iron Man”, Rodtang shares a fighting style remarkably similar to Lineker’s: relentless aggression and devastating power.

“Yes, I intend to fight Rodtang someday because of his fighting style, the way he likes to fight, which is the same as mine,” Lineker revealed. “We like to stand in the middle of the ring and exchange punches until one of us falls. It would be a great fight against him. His style is what I like to see, and it’s the style I like to put into practice when I step into the ring.”

With his upcoming match against Kulabdam, Lineker is determined to prove that his skills transcend MMA and that he can thrive in the art of eight limbs.