Bibiano Fernandes, John Lineker Both Expect Championship Bout to End Inside the Distance

After two postponements, Bibiano Fernandes and John Lineker will finally square off on Friday at One Championship “Lights Out” with the bantamweight (145-pound) belt on the line.

Lineker made no effort to disguise his strategy in a recent interview with Sherdog.com.

“I have no doubt Bibiano is a great champion,” Lineker said. “No doubt he is the best jiu-jitsu fighter I´ve ever faced, but the fight starts standing up, and I'm sure that he’s never faced someone with the power I have in my hands.”

Over the course of the past 18 months, Lineker has posted wins over Muin Gafurov, Kevin Belingon and Troy Worthen under the One banner. “Hands of Stone” is skeptical that Fernandes will keep his word and test his standup skills.

“I truly hope he keeps his word and exchanges punches with me, because I´ll keep mine to look for the knockout from the first second,” Lineker said. “I´m physically ready for a five-round war, if necessary, but I don’t see that fight going past the third round.”

Fernandes, meanwhile, believes Lineker is too one-dimensional to pose a serious threat.

“I don’t see any surprises in his game. His goal is to defend my throws and try to knock me out,” Fernandes said. “On the other hand, I can bring new stuff. I can exchange punches, I can wrestle, I can submit. Unlike Lineker, I evolved in all areas since I started in MMA 18 years ago.”

According to Fernandes, Lineker’s aggression will work against him and for that reason he expects his foe might be more measured on fight night.

“If he comes like he always does, looking for the knockout from the first second, it will be to my advantage,” Fernandes said. “But I think he will come with a more tactical approach this time, because he is aware that he has never faced someone at my level on the ground.”

The only point on which Lineker and Fernandes agree is their belief the fight will be decided before five rounds.

"I´m ready to face him wherever he wants to fight me,” Fernandes “I just don’t think this fight will go five rounds. If he comes forward from the opening second as he promised and doesn’t knock me out, I’ll submit him.”