Former ONE Bantamweight MMA World Champion John Lineker is known for his fierce fighting style inside the cage, but beyond the arena, he carries emotional scars like anyone else.
The veteran fighter recently opened up about a deeply personal and painful experience following the suicide of a close training partner.
Nicknamed “Hands of Stone” for his knockout power, Lineker was left reeling after hearing the heartbreaking news. The 34-year-old, who trains at American Top Team, received the devastating update through his coach, who had spoken with the late athlete’s family.
“I was at home, and the one who gave me the news was my master because he had heard about it through the boy’s parents. He told me that he had hanged himself, and I was shocked. Besides being a training partner, he was an excellent friend,” Lineker shared.
The tragedy struck an even deeper chord with Lineker, resurfacing the trauma of a similar event from his youth. He recalled losing his uncle to suicide when he was just a teenager.
“My uncle also committed suicide by hanging himself. At the time, I was about 13 or 14 years old. It was a great shock for me, especially considering my age. I didn’t understand the situation. This was something that marked my life,” he said.
While many view professional fighters as physically and mentally unbreakable, Lineker emphasized that athletes face emotional challenges too. He acknowledged the mental toll that comes with competitive sports and how important it is not to face struggles in silence.
“It certainly affects a lot of people, especially those of us who are athletes. It’s hard to understand because sports are like an escape valve for us. I’m at a loss for words to describe this type of situation that happens to young people,” Lineker noted.
“People need to stop wanting to carry the burden alone. People need to share their burden because we really can’t do it alone. So, if you have something inside you that you can’t bear anymore, share it with someone.”