MMA: Loman identifies weakness in his game after loss to Lineker
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MMA: Loman identifies weakness in his game after loss to Lineker
ABS-CBN News
Published Sep 16, 2024 06:01 PM PHT

Filipino MMA fighter Stephen Loman in action. Handout/ONE Championship

MANILA -- His first loss in seven years may turn out to be beneficial for bantamweight MMA contender Stephen "The Sniper" Loman.
MANILA -- His first loss in seven years may turn out to be beneficial for bantamweight MMA contender Stephen "The Sniper" Loman.
After getting dominated by former bantamweight champion John "Hands of Stone" Lineker at ONE Fight Night 14 in September 2023, the Filipino believes he has identified the only glaring hole remaining in his game.
After getting dominated by former bantamweight champion John "Hands of Stone" Lineker at ONE Fight Night 14 in September 2023, the Filipino believes he has identified the only glaring hole remaining in his game.
Surprisingly, Loman is focusing on striking as the one facet of his arsenal that needs improvement.
Surprisingly, Loman is focusing on striking as the one facet of his arsenal that needs improvement.
Against Lineker, Loman tried to no avail to take the fight to the ground, all the while the Brazilian veteran overwhelmed him on the feet en route to a unanimous decision win.
Against Lineker, Loman tried to no avail to take the fight to the ground, all the while the Brazilian veteran overwhelmed him on the feet en route to a unanimous decision win.
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The result marked the end of Loman's 11-fight winning streak dating to April 2016.
The result marked the end of Loman's 11-fight winning streak dating to April 2016.
"I did not believe in my striking," he admitted. "That's why I turned to my wrestling. I [stuck] with my wrestling even though I was connecting with my shots."
"I did not believe in my striking," he admitted. "That's why I turned to my wrestling. I [stuck] with my wrestling even though I was connecting with my shots."
"I clocked him with my jabs and straights. When he kicked, I caught it. I should've stuck with it to see if I could get him with my striking," he added.
"I clocked him with my jabs and straights. When he kicked, I caught it. I should've stuck with it to see if I could get him with my striking," he added.
For Loman, he lacked the confidence in his striking to keep the fight standing – even when he was tagging Lineker with shots of his own. In his willingness to get the fight on the ground, he felt like he forgot the other aspects of his game.
For Loman, he lacked the confidence in his striking to keep the fight standing – even when he was tagging Lineker with shots of his own. In his willingness to get the fight on the ground, he felt like he forgot the other aspects of his game.
"If my counter had been wrestling, all I did was just shoot for the takedown without even setting it up with my strikes," he said. "I think I really lacked the timing, the set-ups, and I just vanished. My offense just vanished. He defended everything.
"If my counter had been wrestling, all I did was just shoot for the takedown without even setting it up with my strikes," he said. "I think I really lacked the timing, the set-ups, and I just vanished. My offense just vanished. He defended everything.
That lack of commitment comes from what he feels are shortcomings in his striking, a surprise considering that Filipino fighters are known for that aspect of their game. Making it all the more surprising is that Loman competed out of one of the best striking camps in the Philippines – Team Lakay – before leaving the gym after the fight.
That lack of commitment comes from what he feels are shortcomings in his striking, a surprise considering that Filipino fighters are known for that aspect of their game. Making it all the more surprising is that Loman competed out of one of the best striking camps in the Philippines – Team Lakay – before leaving the gym after the fight.
"Those were the lessons I learned. I need to improve on my mistakes and improve my striking," Loman said. "I am really lacking in boxing. I'll improve on everything – set-ups, timing, boxing, everything really. So I can be a complete fighter."
"Those were the lessons I learned. I need to improve on my mistakes and improve my striking," Loman said. "I am really lacking in boxing. I'll improve on everything – set-ups, timing, boxing, everything really. So I can be a complete fighter."
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