ONE bantamweight MMA world champion Fabricio Andrade of Brazil remains confident that his world-class striking will trample Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu’s feared grappling.
‘Wonder Boy’s’ title defense headlines the promotion’s final U.S. primetime event of 2025, ONE Fight Night 38 on Prime Video this Friday, Dec. 5.
It’s a classic clash of styles, featuring a striker vs. grappler five-round war.
Andrade has built his reign on the heels of devastating knockouts, while Baatarkhuu got his title opportunity through punishing submissions.
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Despite the Mongolian challenger’s punishing grappling-heavy repertoire, Andrade believes he’ll find a way to knock his durable opponent out.
The 28-year-old Tiger Muay Thai and Evolve MMA representative told Nick Atkin in his pre-event interview:
“He’s definitely going to use his grappling game, and I’m excited to see what he brings. I’m excited to also show that I can stop his takedowns and on the striking, I’m going to try to finish him in every blow that I throw.”
Andrade’s words are not empty threats.
The Brazilian dynamo’s speed, precision, and fearsome knockout power have spelled the demise of formidable opponents, including former bantamweight MMA world champion John Lineker.
In his latest title defense, ‘Wonder Boy’ simply needed 42 seconds to knock out Kwon Won Il with a wicked liver shot in just 42 seconds.
Watch the full interview:
Fabricio Andrade says all he did was spar in early days in Thailand
Fabricio Andrade developed his lethal striking skills through sheer repetition.
After moving his entire life from Brazil to Thailand, ‘Wonder Boy’ pretty much lived inside the four walls of Tiger Muay Thai gym.
“I also don’t like it. You know, actually, when I was young, when I just arrived in Tiger Muay Thai, and I just had the need to prove myself, you know, I needed that, and I remember for a while I only did sparring. My training was only sparring,” he told the South China Morning Post.
Watch Andrade defend his title at ONE Fight Night 38 from Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, streaming live in U.S. primetime on Prime Video for North American viewers.
Edited by Aziel Karthak
