John Lineker Handed One-Year Ban and Parts Ways with ONE Championship After Failing Drug Test for Performance-Enhancing Drugs

Singapore – Former ONE Championship bantamweight titleholder John Lineker has been issued a one-year suspension and subsequently parted ways with the promotion following a positive drug test for multiple banned substances detected after his last bout in March. The news, initially reported by the Bangkok Post and confirmed by MMA Fighting, marks a significant setback for the veteran Brazilian fighter, known widely as "Hands of Stone."

The positive test, conducted on March 14, revealed the presence of both tamoxifen, an anti-estrogenic substance, and metandienone, a potent anabolic androgenic steroid. This occurred merely a day after Lineker’s kickboxing match against Ben Woolliss in Bangkok, a contest he ultimately lost. The official notification of the positive result and the ensuing one-year suspension was delivered to Lineker on April 10, with the ban set to run until April 9, 2027, according to ONE Championship’s internal protocols.

The substances identified in Lineker’s system are strictly prohibited under the vast majority of athletic commissions and anti-doping agencies globally, including the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) code, which many major combat sports promotions, including ONE Championship, often align with. Metandienone, more commonly known as Dianabol, is a synthetic anabolic steroid renowned for its ability to rapidly increase muscle mass, strength, and enhance recovery times. Its use is typically associated with significant performance enhancement in strength and power-based sports. Tamoxifen, on the other hand, is a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM). While primarily used in medical contexts, particularly for breast cancer treatment, athletes often misuse it to counteract the estrogenic side effects, such as gynecomastia (breast tissue development), that can arise from the use of anabolic steroids like metandienone, or as part of a post-cycle therapy to restore natural hormone production. The concurrent detection of both substances strongly suggests a deliberate attempt to enhance performance and manage the physiological consequences of steroid use.

ONE Championship maintains a stringent anti-doping policy, emphasizing fair play and the health of its athletes. The promotion’s commitment to a clean sport environment means that violations of this nature typically result in severe penalties, including suspensions and potential forfeiture of past results. While ONE Championship’s suspension period is binding within its jurisdiction, the global landscape of combat sports regulations means that other promotions and athletic commissions are not legally compelled to recognize or enforce the same ban. This regulatory fragmentation can sometimes lead to situations where a fighter suspended in one organization might still be eligible to compete elsewhere, depending on local rules and licensing bodies.

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In Lineker’s immediate future, this situation presents a notable conflict. He is currently slated to participate in a five-round boxing title bout against Rogerio Ferreira on June 6 in Curitiba, Brazil, as part of the Liga Monstro Combate 1 event. The legality of this upcoming fight, given his ongoing suspension by ONE Championship, will depend on the specific regulations governing the Brazilian boxing promotion and the local athletic commission, if any. Should the Brazilian commission choose to uphold or recognize ONE’s suspension, Lineker’s participation in the June event could be jeopardized. This situation highlights the complex jurisdictional challenges inherent in international sports governance and anti-doping efforts.

Lineker’s tenure with ONE Championship began in 2019, following a successful run in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). During his time with ONE, he established himself as a formidable presence in the bantamweight division, compiling an impressive mixed martial arts record of 6 wins, 2 losses, and 1 no-contest between 2019 and 2024. His career highlight in the promotion came when he captured the ONE Bantamweight World Championship by delivering a devastating knockout blow to the long-reigning champion Bibiano Fernandes. This victory solidified his reputation as one of the most dangerous strikers in the division, earning him the moniker "Hands of Stone" for his powerful punching ability.

However, his reign as champion was short-lived. He subsequently lost the title on the scales after failing to make weight for his scheduled defense against Fabricio Andrade, effectively vacating the belt before the fight even began. He later suffered a TKO loss to Andrade in their rematch, failing to reclaim the championship. His last appearance under MMA rules for ONE Championship saw him step in on short notice against Japanese legend Shinya Aoki in Japan, replacing Sage Northcutt. More recently, Lineker had diversified his competitive portfolio within ONE, engaging in stand-up striking disciplines. Since his last MMA bout, he recorded a 2-1 record in Muay Thai contests but struggled in kickboxing, where he registered an 0-2 record, including the aforementioned loss to Ben Woolliss that immediately preceded his positive drug test.

The suspension and subsequent departure from ONE Championship cast a shadow over Lineker’s career, impacting his reputation and potentially his future earnings. Drug test failures are viewed with extreme gravity in professional combat sports, undermining the integrity of competition and eroding fan trust. For a veteran fighter like Lineker, 33 years old, a year-long hiatus at this stage of his career can be particularly challenging, potentially affecting his physical prime and competitive momentum. The incident also serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing battle against performance-enhancing drugs in combat sports and the continuous efforts by promotions like ONE Championship to maintain a level playing field for all athletes.

As the situation unfolds, the global combat sports community will be watching to see how the various governing bodies and promotions address the implications of this suspension, particularly concerning Lineker’s scheduled boxing match in Brazil. The case underscores the critical importance of robust anti-doping programs and the collective responsibility of fighters to adhere to the rules that safeguard the fairness and health of the sport.

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