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Bibiano Fernandes returns from hiatus to defend ONE belt against John Lineker

Two years after his last appearance, ONE bantamweight champion Bibiano Fernandes appears ready for a new challenge. During MMA Fighting’s MMA Hour, president Chatri Sityodtong announced that the champ will return to take on none other than the heavy-handed UFC vet John Lineker in December.

In his last outing, back in October of 2019, Bibiano (24-4) defended the belt in a trilogy match against Kevin Belingon—winning via submission in the second round. Previously, the 41-year-old multiple-time BJJ world champion had won the title by disqualification, after Belingon hit Fernandes with illegal elbows.

Fernandes’ last loss was also his first encounter with Kevin.