Brazilian fighter John Lineker has moved up the rankings of ONE Championship's bantamweight division and ousted Team Lakay's Kevin Belingon in the No. 1 spot.
The former UFC veteran became the No. 1 bantamweight contender, next to compatriot and reigning champion Bibiano Fernandes, after finishing Belingon in ONE: Inside the Matrix III at the Singapore Indoor Stadium last month.
"Being ranked number one makes me feel like a champion, but I am still not the owner of the belt. It feels great but my work isn’t finished," said Lineker.
The man with the "Hands of Stone" stopped Belingon after landing a lethal right uppercut that wobbled the former bantamweight champion.
Read: Belingon now knows why John Lineker is called the ‘Hands of Stone’
With Belingon on the defensive down the canvas, Lineker unleashed a barrage of punches that prompted referee Justin Brown to stop the match at official time of 1:16 of the second round.
The Brazilian striker was too much for the Team Lakay stalwart, who sustained two cuts near the left eye after Lineker’s first-round punishment.
Read: ‘Only a bruised ego’: All is well for Belingon despite third straight loss
And Lineker has no way to go but up and plans to fight Fernandes for the bantamweight title next year.
"I won’t stop until I have that belt. I am coming for Bibiano Fernandes. That fight is what interests me. I will work hard and you can expect to see me victorious," said the 30-year-old Brazilian.
Lineker had two straight victories to climb at 33-9 record while Belingon (20-8) suffered his third consecutive losses since 2019 and slid to No. 3.
"If it is God’s plan, I will very soon be the ONE World Champion," added Lineker.