John Lineker 'Took Easy Way Out,' Claims ONE Bantamweight Title Opponent

This past weekend at ONE on Prime Video 3, the No. 2-ranked ONE bantamweight Fabricio Andrade sought to take home the title after then-titleholder John Lineker was stripped of the title ahead of the fight after missing weight.

While both men were able to put on a striking showcase because of their elite prowess on the feet, it was a disappointing one for the fans in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia as the fight ended in a no contest after Andrade landed an inadvertent knee to Lineker's groin that left him crumpled on the mat late in round three.

"The fight didn't end as I expected. I was feeling very comfortable, very confident in the fight, and I made a mistake and hit him with a low blow," Andrade later said.

"Honestly, I don't think it was enough to make him stop the fight but he knew I'd just [hurt] him with a body knee. He took the easy way out."

Andrade was able to force Lineker into a tough spot as he repeatedly tagged him in the face with some power shots that left the former ONE bantamweight champion with his right eye being swelled up.

"Wonder Boy" rocked Lineker a couple of times early in the first round as he touched him up with a left hand down the middle and a knee to the body that appeared to have surprised Lineker.

To his credit, Lineker also had Andrade in a tough position when he used his wrestling skills to turn the tide and landed big shots on the ground while also leaning on his powerful hooks and overhands to also bloody up his fellow Brazilian.

With Andrade utilizing his length and height advantage against Lineker, he had no trouble mixing up his attacks with leg kicks to keep the former champ cautious, but it did inevitably end up in a knee to the body that went awry.

Andrade later criticized Lineker for missing weight and for giving up during their fight "like that," referencing his time wallowing on the floor in pain.

Clearly frustrated with how things turned out, the fighter many ONE Championship fans believe to be the champion-in-waiting called out Lineker one last time.

"If he doesn't want to fight–and I believe he doesn't want to anymore, especially after I picked him apart like that–give me another guy," Andrade declared.

"I just want to get my title. Everybody knows that I am the champion. I proved in this fight that me and Lineker are not on the same level."

ONE Championship has yet to announce whether the pair will have a rematch to work things out or if Andrade will face someone else for the bantamweight title.