It didn't take long for John Lineker to get the job done in the main event of UFC Fight Night 91, which marked the UFC's debut in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. "Hands of Stone" made his third bantamweight appearance against longtime contender Michael McDonald and scored another first-round knockout victory. There were clearly no main event jitters for Lineker, who made his UFC headliner debut on Wednesday evening.
What was the highlight of this fight?
The highlight of Lineker's vicious win over McDonald is the same as just about every other Lineker highlight -- his vicious flurry. Lineker's power transitioned to the bantamweight division from 125-pounds quite nicely, and perhaps even increased, despite him now fighting larger men. And the fact that Lineker may not be as explosive in the later rounds compared to just after the opening bell doesn't matter, because he's finishing fights early. Lineker walked into the Octagon on Wednesday a man possessed, and clearly showed that. The Brazilian threw bombs right from the very beginning and dropped the American a few times. Lineker didn't give his opponent any breathing room at all and walked through any strikes McDonald threw. The 26-year-old continued to land heavy combinations until he dropped McDonald for good.
Where do these two go from here?
Lineker is getting closer and closer to title contention in the bantamweight division. But there are already a number of deserving title contenders including former champ T.J. Dillashaw, so Lineker still has a ways to go before getting a crack at Dominick Cruz. Although it wouldn't be as stylistically pleasing as a matchup with Cody Garbrandt or John Dodson, I think a matchup against Bryan Caraway makes the most sense next.
This was definitely a step back for the 25-year-old but he should be able to rebound pretty nicely from this devastating loss (he's not the only one who's been knocked out by Lineker). Still top 10 in the 135-pound division, I'd like to see a matchup against Aljamain Sterling next, who's coming off the first professional loss of his career against the aforementioned Caraway. But the bantamweight division is the most stacked it has ever been so there are lots of options for both Lineker and McDonald for their respective next outings.
Watch now, later or never?
You know you love some Lineker violence.
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