ONE Bantamweight MMA World Champion Fabricio Andrade opened up about his remarkable transformation from surviving the mean streets of Fortaleza, Brazil, to becoming one of mixed martial arts’ most explosive finishers ahead of his title defense against Physical: Asia star Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu at ONE Fight Night 38 on Friday, December 5, at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
The 28-year-old Brazilian discussed how claiming World Title gold changed his perspective on life while reflecting on the personal growth that defines his proudest accomplishments beyond athletic success.
Andrade brings a 10-2 (1 NC) MMA record with six finishes into his second title defense, having demolished Kwon Won Il in just 42 seconds earlier this year to cement his status as the bantamweight division’s best mixed martial artist today.
Brazilian Champion Andrade’s Emotional Journey From Adversity to Glory
Growing up in an unstable and crime-ridden neighborhood of Fortaleza where gang activity threatened daily life, Andrade faced circumstances that could have derailed his dreams before they began. The champion’s path from those dangerous streets to championship gold represents years of dedication and unwavering commitment to changing his circumstances through martial arts.
“Sometimes it’s even hard to believe that everything came out right. It gets me a little bit emotional because it was very hard. Never give up on your dreams and keep working hard because it’s going to pay off,” Andrade said.
The Tiger Muay Thai representative relocated to Phuket, Thailand, to pursue his mixed martial arts aspirations, demonstrating the sacrifice required to escape his difficult circumstances and compete at the sport’s highest levels. His undefeated MMA record inside the ONE Championship ring validates the decision to pursue World Title glory halfway around the world from his Brazilian homeland.
ONE Championship Success Brings Personal Transformation
Beyond the athletic achievements and highlight-reel finishes that define his competitive resume, Andrade revealed that capturing championship gold fundamentally changed his approach to life and relationships. The Brazilian discussed how stability and success allowed him to recognize flaws in his earlier mindset and behavior.
“When I finally became champion and started to be more stable, I started to understand that what was in my head wasn’t the things that I really should do. I don’t need to treat anybody bad to prove that I’m better than anyone. Now I’m more of a good guy,” Andrade said.
The Fortaleza native’s willingness to acknowledge past shortcomings while demonstrating growth speaks to maturity that extends beyond athletic accomplishments. His transformation from survival mode to confidence illustrates how success can provide the foundation for becoming a better person rather than simply a better fighter.
Andrade’s Greatest Pride Transcends Athletic Success
When asked about his proudest accomplishment, Andrade emphasized character development over title belts or knockout victories. The Brazilian expressed satisfaction with the man he has become and his ability to inspire others through his journey from adversity to title glory.
“What I’m most proud of is that I became the man that I wanted to be. I want to become a man that other people can look at me and want to be like me,” Andrade said.
Andrade now faces the 36-year-old Baatarkhuu, who owns a 13-3 career record and recently appeared in Netflix’s Physical: Asia. The Mongolian challenger presents a legitimate threat with his finishing ability, having stopped six of seven opponents in ONE. However, the defending champion’s explosive striking arsenal and undefeated MMA record in ONE make him a formidable obstacle for any bantamweight contender seeking gold.
ONE Fight Night 38 airs live on Prime Video on Friday, December 5. The action begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT. The event is free for all Amazon Prime subscribers in the U.S. and Canada.
