Friday’s highly anticipated title clash between Bibiano
Fernandes and John
Lineker scheduled for One Championship “Bad Blood” will not
take place as originally planned.
The 145-pound title bout was canceled after Lineker tested positive
for COVID-19. It’s currently unclear if the Singapore-based
promotion will rebook the matchup for a future event.
MMAFighting.com was first to report the news of Lineker’s
positive test, which occurred at some point after his arrival in
Singapore.
Fernandes later confirmed the cancellation on his Instagram account
while also indicating that the fight will be rescheduled at a later
date.
“It is with a heavy heart that I have to announce the fight between
me and John Lineker has been postponed,” Fernandes wrote. “Unfortunately John Lineker tested positive for COVID 19 and is
unable to fight at this time. I wish him a full and quick
recovery.
“I’m sorry to all of my fans for the disappointing news. I will be
ready once the fight is back on!”
Lineker is 3-0 under the One banner, including back-to-back KO/TKO
finishes of Kevin
Belingon and Troy
Worthen in his last two promotional appearances. The
31-year-old Brazilian known as “Hands of Stone” signed with the
organization following a 12-4 stint in the UFC.
After some contract issues, the 41-year-old Fernandes was set to
make his first appearance since 2019, when he submitted Belingon in
the second round at One Championship “Century Part 2.” “The Flash”
has won 16 of his last 17 professional outings dating back to 2011,
with his lone defeat coming against Belingon in a title bout in
November 2018.
One Championship “Bad Blood” takes place at Singapore Indoor
Stadium in Kallang Singapore and also features a heavyweight title
tilt pitting Anatoliy
Malykhin against Kirill
Grishenko.