MMA News: Stephen Loman Offers Prediction On Bibiano Fernandes-John Lineker Fight

Bibiano Fernandes will be putting his bantamweight title on the line against John Lineker in the main event of ONE: Bad Blood on Friday, February 11, and rising contender Stephen Loman gave his take on the match.

“Both are veterans and good strikers. We will see if Bibiano [Fernandes] will set up his takedowns [on] John [Lineker] and try to submit him or if not, John will probably let his hands go and look for a knockout,” Loman told International Business Times.

"We will see an explosive fight from these fighters."

Lineker and Fernandes’ bad blood dates back to October 2021 when their war of words took over the majority of a virtual media call where both fighters dug deep into each others' skills and claims.

The 31-year-old from Parana, Brazil recently revealed that his problems with Fernandes only began when he declared his desires to challenge for the bantamweight title and the champion harshly responded.

Meanwhile, Loman leaped into the No. 3 spot in the division after a dominant debut against Yusup Saadulaev at ONE: Winter Warriors 2 in December 2021 and is gunning for a fight against No. 2-ranked Kwon Won Il.

The winner between Kwon and Loman will most likely be the next challenger for the bantamweight title, making the division a must-watch attraction.

"I am looking forward to sharing the cage with the winner of Fernandes vs. Lineker in the near future," Loman stated.

Lineker and Fernandes will put an end to their long-standing feud in the main event of ONE: Bad Blood, with Anatoly Malykhin battling Kirill Grishenko for the interim heavyweight title in the co-headliner.

ONE: Bad Blood will be streaming live on the ONE Super App and the official ONE Championship YouTube channel at 8:30 PM SGT (7:30 AM ET in the United States) on Friday, February 11.