Known around the world as one of the hardest punchers in all of combat sports, former ONE bantamweight MMA champion John Lineker will bring his revered striking to the art of eight limbs next month.
“Hands of Stone” is set to debut in Muay Thai against American striker Asa Ten Pow in bantamweight action when ONE Championship returns to the U.S. at ONE 168: Denver on Saturday, September 7, inside Denver, Colorado’s Ball Arena.
Lineker has built a reputation for being a destructive puncher throughout his MMA career. The Brazilian has amassed 18 knockouts in 47 bouts in the all-encompassing sport, with four coming in ONE.
As he enters this new chapter in Muay Thai, the 34-year-old won’t have to worry about grappling and takedowns, so it will be fascinating to see what he can do when the fists and legs fly.
His introduction to the striking-only arts will be far from a walk in the park against Ten Pow, though. The American has shown he has the goods so far in the world’s largest martial arts organization, and he’ll undoubtedly be out to sour Lineker’s first foray at ONE 168.
Ten Pow fell to defeat in his promotional bow in 2022, but he found form fast with back-to-back finishes in his next two bouts – against Han Zi Hao in April 2023 and Rambolek Chor Ajalaboon last September.
As far as pure striking goes, “The American Ninja” will be right at home against Lineker. But there’s little doubt that the top-ranked bantamweight MMA contender’s aggressive style will be more than enough to make the contest that much more exciting.
ONE 168’s latest addition will add further bantamweight Muay Thai heat to the thrilling card that already includes a tilt for the divisional crown between reigning two-sport titleholder Jonathan Haggerty and flyweight kickboxing king Superlek Kiatmoo9.
