John Lineker (born June 25, 1990) is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist and former Muay Thai fighter. He competes in the featherweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Lineker previously fought for ONE Championship, where he contested for the organization's bantamweight title.
Early life and background
- Birthplace: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Nationality: Brazilian
Lineker began training in martial arts at a young age, initially studying karate before transitioning to Muay Thai and later mixed martial arts (MMA). He achieved notable success on the regional Muay Thai circuit in Brazil, earning a reputation for knockout power.
Mixed martial arts career
ONE Championship (2012–2014)
- Made his ONE Championship debut in 2012.
- Competed primarily in the bantamweight division (135 lb).
- Challenged for the ONE Bantamweight World Championship in a bout against Bibiano Fernandes at ONE FC 22 (December 2013), which he lost by unanimous decision.
Ultimate Fighting Championship (2014–present)
- Signed with the UFC in early 2014.
- UFC debut: UFC 175 (July 2014) – lost to Aljamain Sterling via split decision.
- Recorded his first UFC victory at UFC 180 (November 2014) with a second‑round knockout of Frankie Saenz.
- Notable UFC wins include:
- Marlon Vera – unanimous decision (UFC 181, December 2014).
- Rui Machado – technical knockout (UFC 199, June 2016).
- Sean O'Malley – first‑round TKO (UFC 252, August 2020).
Weight‑class transitions: In 2019, after missing weight for a bantamweight bout, Lineker moved permanently to the featherweight division (145 lb).
Fighting style
Lineker is recognized for his striking power, especially his heavy punches and low kicks. He typically employs a southpaw stance and incorporates elements of Muay Thai into his MMA striking.
Personal life
- Nickname: “The Assassin.”
- Outside the cage, Lineker has spoken publicly about his Christian faith and involvement in community outreach programs in Brazil.
Championships and achievements
- ONE Championship: One‑time bantamweight title challenger.
- UFC: Multiple Performance of the Night bonus awards (including for the victory over Sean O'Malley).
Professional record (as of June 2024)
- MMA record: 22 wins, 8 losses.
- Wins by knockout: 16
- Wins by decision: 6
References
- UFC.com fighter profile.
- ONE Championship fight archives.
- ESPN MMA fight history.
Note: All information presented reflects verifiable data available from reputable sports and mixed martial arts databases up to June 2024.
