John Lineker Tests Positive for COVID-19, Title Fight vs. Bibiano Fernandes Scrapped

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.

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