By Jun Ray Navarres
Former BRAVE CF Bantamweight Champion Stephen Loman has no time to relax ahead of his ONE Championship promotional debut.
Team Lakay’s “The Sniper” will be facing the top contender of the bantamweight division, John “Hands of Stone” Lineker at the main event of “ONE on TNT III,” which airs on Wednesday, April 21 (Thursday, April 22 PH time).
Loman understands what lies ahead of him considering that Lineker knocked-out his stablemate and former ONE Bantamweight World Champion Kevin Belingon last year.
“He is a very dangerous striker. They don’t call him ‘Hands of Stone’ for nothing. Aside from that, he also has a granite chin. It is very hard to knock him out. In fact, he’s never been knocked out in over pro 40 fights, which is a testament to his toughness,” Loman told ONE Championship.
“To say that he’s just another challenge is an understatement. I’m not taking him lightly.”
Considered as the most dangerous fighter in the division, Loman needs every resources he can get his hands to come up with a solid game plan to handle the tough Brazilian.
Loman is working closely with Belingon who already experienced Lineker first hand.
“My senior, Kevin and Coach Mark [Sangiao] are helping me with the game plan heading into this fight. We’re analyzing and studying, coming up with the right approach to apply. Lineker is no doubt one of the toughest opponents in my career. If I can beat him, it will be huge,” said the 25-year-old Filipino stalwart.
“At this level of the game, weaknesses are very hard to come by. He doesn’t have many weaknesses. And I’m not thinking about them.”
After signing with ONE a little over a month ago, Loman is already expected to plunge in what is one of the most highly-anticipated fights of the year.
Yet, Loman assured his fans that his promotional debut will be explosive and tells them to tune in.
“I’m preparing for the best John Lineker possible. Right now, we are focused in every aspect this fight could turn, whether that be in the grappling, wrestling, or striking. We have to be prepared for every scenario,” said Loman.
“I think this is going to be an explosive fight. I will use all the tools I have at my disposal, try my best to stick to the game plan, and bring the victory back home to Baguio City.”
Follow the writer on Twitter: @burnsports
