John Lineker vs. Alexey Balyko

The former ONE Bantamweight MMA World Champion ‘Hands of Stone’ John Lineker is set to face Russia’s Alexey Balyko in a Muay Thai matchup at ONE Fight Night 25 on October 4. This will be Lineker’s second appearance in Muay Thai, following an impressive knockout victory in his debut fight.

John Lineker has odds of 2.375 to win, while Alexey Balyko has odds of 1.54 to win. These numbers indicate that Balyko is considered the favorite in this matchup. If you like to play the odds then make sure to check out boxing odds at Bovada right here.

In betting terms, the lower number represents the more likely outcome according to oddsmakers. This means that bookmakers believe Balyko has a better chance of winning the fight than Lineker.

If you bet $100 on Lineker and he wins, you would receive $237.50 in total (your $100 stake plus $137.50 in profit). If you bet $100 on Balyko and he wins, you would receive $154 in total (your $100 stake plus $54 in profit).

John Lineker

Known for his powerful punches and aggressive style, John Lineker is confident that he can secure another knockout win. Despite having less experience in pure Muay Thai compared to Balyko, he believes that his relentless forward pressure will make a difference in the fight.

‘Hands of Stone’ Lineker is a seasoned professional when it comes to combat sports with fifty bouts between MMA and Muay Thai. The Brazilian has competed for titles in the UFC and held gold in ONE Championship, which he won by knockout against Bibiano Fernandes.

He is just coming off a knockout win against the US-born striker Asa Ten Pow in Muay Thai and will look to continue that success on October 4.

John Lineker said:

“My strong point is boxing, and I think his style is very similar to mine. I think what makes the difference is that I’m a guy who moves forward a lot, and he’s a guy who moves more, especially to the side and backwards. He doesn’t move forward much. So, I think that’s what differentiates my style from his. I’m a guy who always moves forward looking for the knockout, and he’s a guy who moves a lot in the cage.”

Alexey Balyko

On the other hand, Alexey Balyko is a seasoned Muay Thai specialist from Russia, boasting an impressive record of 23 career victories and a 3-1 slate in ONE Championship. Training at Tiger Muay Thai in Phuket, Thailand, Balyko has a well-rounded skill set that he believes will give him the edge over Lineker. He aims not only to win but to break Lineker mentally and showcase his superior striking abilities.

He explained:

“I’m sure he’s underestimating me, and that will play to my advantage. I think he’ll wait for his moment as usual, hoping to catch me when I make a mistake and then to end the fight. But he doesn’t know me well. I think I’ll be a surprise for him.”

A win for Lineker could solidify his status as a dual-sport threat in both MMA and Muay Thai, while a victory for Balyko would significantly boost his standing in the division. Both fighters are predicting a knockout finish.