In recent weeks the Ultimate Fighting Championship has been quick to announce No.1 contenders for their stable of champions. Rory MacDonald is poised to face the winner of the bout between Johny Hendricks and Robbie Lawler at UFC 181 (via ESPN), while Conor McGregor seems to be the next in line for a shot at the featherweight title against the man carrying the belt after UFC 179 (via MMA Fighting). This should excite John Lineker as he prepares to face Ian McCall in a few weeks. Another big win and “Hands of Stone” may find himself tapped as the No. 1 contender to the UFC flyweight title.
Demetrious Johnson is reigning like a true king over the 125-pound division. His win over Chris Cariaso at UFC 178 gave him his fifth title defense in less than two years. While “Mighty Mouse” seems to be improving each time he steps into the Octagon, he has shown a weakness against men who can catch him with a hard shot. John Dodson was able to drop the champion in their title bout at UFC on Fox 6. Since then, Johnson has been a dynamo when he steps into the cage.
Enter John Lineker. The Brazilian native has shown an ability to land with power at any moment. At 24 years of age he’s a very experienced fighter with 12 of his 24 wins coming via knockout. His last victory against Alptekin Ozkilic was perhaps his most impressive when he finished his opponent with nine seconds left in the fight.
Back in 2013 UFC President Dana White even went on record to say that Lineker was in line for a title shot if he could get his weight issues in order.
“He’s so good that if he had made weight on the three times he’s missed, he’d probably have a title shot right now,” White said in a piece by Matthew Roth of MMA Mania.
With his recent win it seems that he has grabbed control of that struggle. His reward is a fight that has been dubbed a title eliminator against McCall (via MMA Mania). “Uncle Creepy” has already faced Johnson twice so a victory for Lineker would give the organization a chance to promote a new challenger for a dominant champion.
As mentioned, Lineker has shown the ability to present a question to Johnson that he’s struggled with in the past. If John has learned how to better pace himself in a fight and lands a big shot, the UFC may end the night with a new flyweight champion. When Dodson had the champion hurt, he was unable to capitalize and struggled to keep the pace through the remaining rounds. Johnson will have the advantage when it comes to five-round experience but, that will not keep him completely safe from Lineker‘s power.
The weight issues that threatened John Lineker‘s run at flyweight seem to be behind him. When he steps into the cage opposite of Ian McCall at UFC Fight Night: Rua versus Manuwa on November 8, he will be fighting for an opportunity to face Demetrious Johnson for his title. A position that seemed so far out of his reach just a year ago is now within the grasps of the fighter known as “Hands of Stone.”
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