Hiroki Akimoto picked up a close decision victory against Brazilian star John Lineker at ONE Championship event ONE 172: Takeru vs Rodtang on Sunday morning.
The number-4 ranked contender in the bantamweight kickboxing division employed slick movements and top striking abilities while surviving Lineker’s trademark big punches.
After three rounds of exciting action, the 32-year-old Japanese star was awarded the split decision win – his first after three straight losses in the global martial arts organization.
Meanwhile, former ONE Bantamweight MMA world champion Lineker has now suffered his second consecutive defeat on his kickboxing debut and his second defeat since moving to fighting under striking rules.
