John Lineker Believes He'll Finish T.J. Dillashaw
John Lineker Believes He'll Finish T.J. Dillashaw
Bantamweight knockout artist John Lineker says he will knockout former champion T.J. Dillashaw
John Lineker will face a major challenge on December 30 when he faces former bantamweight champion T.J. Dillashaw at UFC 207 in Las Vegas. If victorious, this fight might be his key to a shot at the title that is currently held by Dominick Cruz.
This fight, though, won't be the first time that "Hands of Stone" stands face to face with Dillashaw. Speaking with AG.Fight, the Brazilian recalled the day he first met Dillashaw in 2015. Lineker was about to make his bantamweight debut, against Francisco Rivera at UFC 191, and ran into the then-champion in an elevator at the MGM Grand hotel.
"I remember that day", Lineker told FloCombat via AG.Fight. "I was in the elevator talking with (UFC featherweight) Thiago Tavares in Portuguese and he certainly did not understand a word. Then I said 'TJ' [...], he looked up, and so I had to say something. I asked how he was so tall, and then I realized I could be fighting him in the future. He isn't that big. He has has a structure more or less similar to mine, he's not much bigger than me."
Regarding his upcoming fight against the former champion, Lineker, who is notorious for his dangerous knockout power, believes that in case his opponent wants to exchange blows standing, he will finish Dillashaw there. He's also aware that a victory here might send him on his way to a title shot.
"I don't necessarily see a hole in his game (on the feet), but it would be a chance to beat him if he wants to exchange with me," Lineker said. "To me, all fights are important, but this one will certainly be my chance to go for the title because he is a former champion. This is what I really want to happen."
Despite being only 26 years old, Lineker has competed 36 times in professional MMA and has won 29 of those fights. Since leaving the flyweight division last year, the Brazilian is undefeated with four wins in a row at 135 pounds.
This fight, though, won't be the first time that "Hands of Stone" stands face to face with Dillashaw. Speaking with AG.Fight, the Brazilian recalled the day he first met Dillashaw in 2015. Lineker was about to make his bantamweight debut, against Francisco Rivera at UFC 191, and ran into the then-champion in an elevator at the MGM Grand hotel.
"I remember that day", Lineker told FloCombat via AG.Fight. "I was in the elevator talking with (UFC featherweight) Thiago Tavares in Portuguese and he certainly did not understand a word. Then I said 'TJ' [...], he looked up, and so I had to say something. I asked how he was so tall, and then I realized I could be fighting him in the future. He isn't that big. He has has a structure more or less similar to mine, he's not much bigger than me."
Regarding his upcoming fight against the former champion, Lineker, who is notorious for his dangerous knockout power, believes that in case his opponent wants to exchange blows standing, he will finish Dillashaw there. He's also aware that a victory here might send him on his way to a title shot.
"I don't necessarily see a hole in his game (on the feet), but it would be a chance to beat him if he wants to exchange with me," Lineker said. "To me, all fights are important, but this one will certainly be my chance to go for the title because he is a former champion. This is what I really want to happen."
Despite being only 26 years old, Lineker has competed 36 times in professional MMA and has won 29 of those fights. Since leaving the flyweight division last year, the Brazilian is undefeated with four wins in a row at 135 pounds.