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John Lineker continues to make waves in the combat sports world with a successful shift into Muay Thai, but he remains committed to returning to his roots in MMA. Despite his recent triumphs in the 'art of eight limbs,' the fighter known as "Hands of Stone" emphasizes that mixed martial arts is still his top priority.
At ONE Fight Night 25: Nicolas vs. Eersel II, held on October 4 at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, Lineker secured his second consecutive Muay Thai victory. This time, he delivered a first-round knockout against Russian bantamweight Alexey Balyko. Lineker’s aggression was on full display, as he unleashed powerful strikes that overwhelmed his opponent. A devastating left hook floored Balyko at the 90-second mark. Although the Russian managed to rise, he couldn't withstand the relentless barrage of hooks from Lineker, falling again at 2:14 of the first round.
This win follows another impressive knockout he secured just a month earlier, where he stopped American fighter Asa Ten Pow in the second round at a ONE Championship event in Denver, Colorado. Both victories highlight Lineker's striking power, earning him a second consecutive $50,000 performance bonus from ONE Championship's Chairman and CEO, Chatri Sityodtong.
Despite thriving in Muay Thai, Lineker’s heart is still in MMA. He acknowledged this in his post-fight interview:
“My focus is on MMA, but I'm really enjoying fighting in Muay Thai, you know, especially because this is more striking. So I don’t need to be worried when they want to take me down, this kind of thing. But my focus is MMA.”
Lineker, known for his devastating knockout power, has enjoyed the striking freedom that Muay Thai offers, but fans can expect to see him back in the MMA cage soon as he remains dedicated to reclaiming his spot among the sport's elite.
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