Battered John Lineker escapes with a no contest against Andrade after accidental low blow

Former ONE bantamweight world champion John Lineker faced an acid test against Fabricio Andrade with the bout declared a no contest following an accidental knee to the groin in the main event of ONE on Prime Video 3 this Saturday at Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Andrade dictated the tempo in the early going as he pressed the action with strikes to the head and body. Lineker, notoriously known as a power puncher throughout his career, was forced to shoot for a takedown after he was hurt from a series of strikes from his fellow Brazilian.

Lineker was on the attack in round two and had hurt Andrade but also had blood on his face from the punches he took. Andrade was patient as he clinically pressed forward as soon as he recovered from the big punches he took.

With his right eye closed, Lineker fought with urgency in round three while Andrade fought at his own pace. Lineker threw combinations and went to the body, but was getting picked apart and kept at bay by Andrade with crisp jabs on top and kicks to the body.

Halfway through the round, Andrade landed a perfectly timed knee to the midsection that hurt Lineker. Andrade followed up with another knee that accidentally landed below the belt, breaking Lineker's groin guard.

Unable to continue, the fight ultimately saw an anticlimactic ending after it was declared a no contest. The ONE bantamweight world title, which was on the line only for Andrade, is now vacant because Lineker failed to make weight for the bout.

—JMB, GMA News