ONE Championship: Bibiano Fernandes tells John Lineker ‘hope you can make weight’ after call-out
- ‘Hands of Stone’ challenges bantamweight champ in Instagram post, saying ‘you can’t hold onto that belt forever’
- Fernandes hits back at Lineker for ‘crying’ on social media, and says ‘just call ONE … I’ll wait for you anytime’
ONE Championship bantamweight champ Bibiano Fernandes has hit back at No 1 contender John Lineker for “crying” about not getting a title shot – and said he is open to meeting him in the cage.
Fernandes (24-4) was responding to an Instagram post from his fellow Brazilian Lineker (34-9), who called out “The Flash” for his apparent unwillingness to put the belt on the line against him.
“Hey Bibiano! You are a great champion, a legend, and I respect you!” Lineker said. “But you can’t hold on to that belt forever! Let me challenge you, and may the best man win!”
“Hey Lineker!” Fernandes wrote in a Facebook post soon after. “I give you a chance to contest the first title of your career in years! No need to cry on social media. Just call One and the president, I’ll wait for you anytime.
“I’m old fashioned and if you need it, we close the doors in Brazil or Canada. You’re not used to contending [for the] title and that’s why you want to create a hype in a rivalry that never existed!
“Ohh hope you can beat the weight since you were fired by UFC due to lack of professionalism! And, look: you must pass USADA soon!”