Former ONE Championship Bantamweight champion and Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) veteran John Lineker has crashed out of GFN 1: Israel vs. The World's main event to Ahavat Gordon via unanimous decision.
The fight, contested under Muay Thai rules, turned into a wild brawl, with both men landing several heavy shots throughout the bout. Lineker had his moments and brought his trademark power, but Gordon did enough across the rounds to earn the win.
Lineker's recent run in striking-only sports has not gone well, with the 35-year-old now losing his last four fights across Muay Thai and kickboxing. The loss marks a setback for the Brazilian, who was released from ONE Championship earlier this year after a failed drug test.
Despite his struggles, Lineker did manage to win a one-off boxing match last month against Rogerio Ferreira. However, this latest defeat will likely raise concerns about his future in the sport.
Gordon, on the other hand, remains undefeated while competing solely in Muay Thai. The win marks a significant victory for the Israeli fighter, who was part of a strong showing by the home team.
In the end, Israel defeated "The World" by a final score of 10-2, with three other former UFC fighters also competing on the card. Former UFC Bantamweight Jose Alberto Quinonez was knocked out in less than one minute by Kibedy Gordon in the first fight of the "Triple Main Event".
Former UFC veterans Lando Vannata and Natan Levy also collided, with Vannata taking home a split decision win. "Groovy" was the only American fighter to compete on the card, and he was also the only American to win.
The loss for Lineker will likely have implications for his future in the sport. With his recent struggles and the failed drug test, it remains to be seen how he will bounce back from this setback.
The win for Gordon and Israel's strong showing will likely be seen as a significant moment for the country's MMA scene.
Source: Yahoo Sports