UFC's John Lineker sticking with flyweight, pledges to figure out weight-cut issues
After seeing his four-fight winning streak slip away a week ago, John Lineker is pledging to figure out what went wrong, both before his fight and during it.
Lineker (23-7 MMA, 4-2 UFC) lost a unanimous decision to Ali Bagautinov earlier this month at UFC 169. The Russian controlled the Brazilian with his wrestling the day after Lineker again struggled to make weight.
Lineker missed the flyweight limit in three of his first five UFC fights. In the sixth, against Bagautinov, he missed on his first try, but returned to hit 126 pounds on his second effort. The weight issue for the former bantamweight has been a source of constant discussion since he came to the UFC nearly two years ago.
But Lineker and his manager, Alex Davis, told MMAjunkie it’s not a matter of going back to bantamweight. Lineker’s team plans on figuring out just what is going wrong to get him on track on the scale so he can get back on track in the 125-pound division.
“Regarding my weight, my trainers, my team, my manager and I have been discussing it, trying to pinpoint what needs to be corrected,†Lineker told MMAjunkie after his loss at UFC 169, which took place at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. “We haven’t found the missing piece yet, but we’ll be fixing this, without a doubt.
“As far as my wrestling, I have to keep working at it because it’s what is necessary. My opponents are likely to use it strategically for takedowns and to attempt to tie me up. But as I said, we’re all sitting down together to figure out these shortcomings.â€
Lineker said he tried a brief stint with famed nutritionist and weight-cutting consultant Mike Dolce, but language and geographical barriers got in the way.
But he said the diet portion of making weight isn’t what he’s concerned about, anyway.
“I already had a nutritionist, and we had been doing all the right things before that,†he said. “So I don’t believe nutrition is where the problem exists. The problem is elsewhere. We don’t yet know the true cause of the weight problems. Things didn’t work out with Dolce due to the distance and difficulty in communicating. I am very happy with my nutritionist, Marco Aurelio. Everything will be corrected sooner than later.â€
Lineker could have put himself in line for a flyweight title shot with a win over Bagautinov. A five-fight winning streak would’ve been tops in the division in the UFC – with the only concern being whether or not he would be able to hit 125 pounds on weigh-in day for a potential title fight.
The loss sent him back in the pack, though. But Davis said he already had broached the subject of Lineker returning to bantamweight with the UFC.
“We already talked to the UFC about that,†said Lineker’s manager, Alex Davis. “We’ll figure out what’s wrong and fix it. John’s size isn’t compatible with moving up in weight class.â€
Lineker will continue to split time between Team Emporium in Paranagua, Brazil, and American Top Team in South Florida. He said he hopes to shore up issues with his wrestling at ATT.
The 24-year-old said he keeps the same goal – to win a UFC title.
“I’m not disappointed with anything I did,†Lineker said. “I did what I was supposed to – I fought, which is what I enjoy doing. Unfortunately, it was his time. He managed to implement his game, which is to take me down. I wasn’t able to hold him off for three rounds. But without a doubt, I’ll continue fighting and striving to one day be the champion of my weight class.â€
