Stephen “The Sniper” Loman will have an excellent supporting cast while preparing for the most dangerous man he’s ever faced in his professional MMA career. 

The #2-ranked bantamweight contender takes on former ONE Bantamweight World Champion John “Hands of Stone” Lineker at ONE Fight Night 14: Stamp vs. Ham on September 30 inside the Singapore Indoor Stadium. 

This match could have serious implications for Loman’s championship aspirations. After all, a win could get him a showdown with ONE Bantamweight World Champion Fabricio Andrade. 

“When I found out that I’m going to be facing [Lineker], I was elated because at least I’m not going to be [inactive] for the rest of the year,” he said.  

“I know this will be for the true number-one contender’s spot. This is good news.”

The good thing for him is that he will have a bevy of strong training partners to work with for this match. 

When it comes to dynamic grappling and explosive takedowns, he’s got young bantamweights Jhanlo Mark Sangiao and Carlos Alvarez to turn to and test him. 

To prepare for Lineker’s heavy striking, he’ll have Carlo Von Bumina-ang, who starched Reza Saedi in his ONE debut with his heavy hands. 

For Loman, he couldn’t have asked for a better position to be in. 

“We’re sparring hard, they’re pushing me hard particularly in the striking department because that’s John’s strength. We work on our striking – hook, hook, body body – and add wrestling to it. I’m really being pushed in this program,” he said. 

With a young and hard-hitting group to prepare him for the toughest fight of his life, Loman is confident that he can compete with Lineker wherever the fight goes. 

This includes going hard with Lineker up close, if needed. 

“I can go toe-to-toe with him on the feet. He likes fighting in the pocket, and I’m working on that right now,” he said. 

“In this fight, I’ll use everything, I’ll bring out everything from my tool box. If I can finish him in the first or second, for sure I will.”