Lino backs her knockout power against Shana
EFC women’s flyweight fighter Amanda Lino says she will not hunt for a knockout in her upcoming title fight against Shana Power.
Lino has already developed a reputation as a knockout specialist in her short career, with all four of her victories coming via first round KO or TKO. But the 25-year-old says she has a lot more in store.
“My game plan is not always to go out there and knock someone out. As a girl, I’m lucky enough to have the strength to be able to knock someone out but I’m prepared for any situation,” Lino said.
“I train on all aspects of my game; it just happens that I’ve had the opportunities to knock someone out very quickly. I haven’t had the opportunity to show much else, but (knockout power) isn’t all I have. I think people will be surprised to see a lot more of my game, but if it goes that way and I have to play to my strengths then I’ll play to my strengths. If I can knock her out then that’s what I’ll do, but I’ll be prepared in all aspects of my game.”
Lino made her name in MMA when she won gold at the 2014 International Mixed Martial Arts Federation amateur world championships in Las Vegas, and she has since gone from strength to strength.
The Durban resident opened her professional record with a TKO victory over Stephanie Quaile at EFC 38 last year, before falling to a submission defeat against Frenchwoman Isabelle Pare at EFC 43 a few months later. Lino returned to winning ways in March when she knocked out Jacqualine Trosee just 10 seconds into their bout at EFC 47.
But in Power, Lino faces a fighter with better defence, footwork and distance control than her previous opponents. Power started her professional career with a first-round knockout of Kirsty Davis at EFC 45 and went on to pick apart Italy’s Micol DiSegni to win by a unanimous decision at EFC 50 in June.
“We definitely looked at aspects of her game. Not to say that I’m changing any aspects of my game. I’m still working to my strengths, but you need to be prepared for everything,” Lino said of facing Power.
“I need to know what she can throw at me so I’m prepared to the best of my abilities. When I walk in that cage, I need to know that I’m at 100 percent. It’s not to say that I’ve focused on her game, but I need to know what she can bring to a fight so I’m prepared for any move that she makes in the cage on the night.”
The bout takes place at EFC 54 in October, which also features a heavyweight title match between Elvis Moyo and Andrew van Zyl and a flyweight title bout between Baldwin Mdlalose and JP Buys.