“ONE Fight Night 7: Lineker vs. Andrade II” is just around the corner and naturally, there are plenty of talking points.
Headlined by the highly anticipated rematch between John Lineker (35-9) and Fabricio Andrade (8-2) for the vacant ONE bantamweight world title, the event promises to be an action-packed spectacle, and fans in North America can watch it live and for free on February 24 with an Amazon Prime membership.
The ONE Fight Night 7 bout card is littered with storylines, but here are the three biggest ones that have caught our attention.
1. John Lineker and Fabricio Andrade settle score once and for all
The first meeting between former ONE bantamweight world champion Lineker and No. 1 contender Andrade was an incredible fight, but it had an anti-climactic ending.
“Hands of Stone” was stripped of his title ahead of the ONE Fight Night 3 main event in October due to missing weight, but it was an accidental low blow from Andrade that rendered Lineker unable to continue – and, ultimately, the bout to be declared a no contest.
Before the untimely stoppage, “Wonder Boy” had his Brazilian compatriot hurt with a knee to the body and appeared to be taking control of what had been a pulsating contest. That left many fans, and even Andrade himself, asking, “what if?”
The twosome have waited four months for their chance to settle their feud and claim the vacant bantamweight strap, so expect fireworks when they return to the ONE circle once again.
2. Tawanchai looks to cement status as featherweight muay Thai king
Tawanchai PK.Saenchai made the leap from rising star to ONE featherweight muay Thai world champion in 2022.
The Thai superstar was deservingly voted ONE’s “Breakout Star of the Year,” having knocked out a pair of top-five ranked contenders and capping off his campaign by dethroning the division’s longtime titleholder, Petchmorakot Petchyindee, at ONE 161 in September.
At ONE Fight Night 7, Tawanchai will make his first world title defense against dangerous Turkish star Jamal Yusupov – a knockout artist with global icon Yodsanklai Fairtex among his list of victims.
If the 23-year-old can get the job done, he will officially cement his place as the undisputed king of the muay Thai featherweights.
3. Brazilian jiu-jitsu vs. judo?
Last year saw a clash of styles emerge, as ONE launched its submission grappling branch.
After some back-and-forth between practitioners of Brazilian jiu-jitsu and sambo, a series of matchups between stars of the two grappling styles have taken place.
Thus far, BJJ holds the bragging rights following a 3-0 start to the rivalry after wins from Kade Ruotolo, Danielle Kelly and Mikey Musumeci.
On February 24, a new style will enter the fray – judo.
Judo specialist and former ONE women’s strawweight world title challenger Ayaka Miura steps up to the plate against American BJJ phenom Kelly, which could kick off a brand new feud.
If Miura can pull off the upset under submission grappling rules – or at least push Kelly for the full 10 minutes – then we could see a slew of judo stars come forward to test their mettle in the ONE circle.
