Mongolian contender Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu will challenge reigning ONE Bantamweight MMA World Champion Fabricio “Wonder Boy” Andrade in the main event of ONE Fight Night 38 on Friday, December 5, at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. The #4-ranked challenger earned his title opportunity through a dominant three-fight winning streak that has positioned him as the promotion’s most deserving bantamweight contender, and now he looks to become only the second Mongolian fighter to capture ONE Championship gold when he faces the Brazilian kingpin in U.S. primetime on Prime Video.
Baatarkhuu Grateful For Long-Awaited Title Opportunity
The 36-year-old Mongolian, who stars in Physical: Asia on Netflix, has methodically climbed the bantamweight rankings since earning his ONE Championship contract by winning the Road to ONE: Mongolia tournament in 2022. Baatarkhuu owns a 13-3 career record, and he is riding a three-bout winning streak with impressive victories over previously undefeated Carlo Bumina-ang, South American knockout artist Aaron “Tommy Gun” Canarte, and #5-ranked contender Jeremy “The Juggernaut” Pacatiw in his most recent outing at ONE Fight Night 29 this past March.
Baatarkhuu expressed profound appreciation for receiving his first main event assignment while acknowledging the immense pressure that accompanies fighting for championship gold. The Team Tungaa representative views this opportunity as validation of years spent perfecting his craft in the challenging Mongolian training environment, where harsh conditions and limited resources have forged some of mixed martial arts’ toughest competitors.
“I’m very pleased that [ONE] is putting together such a high-level matchup. I believe they value my skills and trust that I can deliver a strong performance. This is basically the pinnacle of martial arts. It’s a real test to see whether my skills are truly at a high level,” Baatarkhuu said.
Champion Andrade Presents Formidable Challenge for Baatarkhuu
Baatarkhuu will face the most dangerous threat in the bantamweight division when he steps into the Circle against Andrade on December 5. The Brazilian champion, who expressed his desire to fight the Mongolian earlier this year, brings a perfect ONE Championship record into this title defense, compiling an impressive 10-2 overall MMA mark with an 80 percent finishing rate that has left opponents crumpled across the canvas throughout his promotional tenure.
Andrade’s striking arsenal has proven devastating at the highest level of competition, as evidenced by his brutal stoppage victories over former titleholder John “Hands of Stone” Lineker and the spectacular 42-second knockout of “Pretty Boy” Kwon Won Il at ONE 170 this past January. The Brazilian’s finishing instincts extend beyond mixed martial arts, with over 40 victories in combined Muay Thai and kickboxing competition demonstrating his elite-level striking credentials across multiple disciplines.
“Fabricio is very skilled and talented. He had many title fights, and he claimed the championship in his weight category. This is not something that someone with limited skills can do. He is a highly skilled, top-level fighter,” the Mongolian challenger acknowledged.
Jadambaa’s Legacy Inspires Baatarkhuu’s Championship Pursuit
Former ONE Featherweight MMA World Champion Narantungalag “Tungaa” Jadambaa has served as both coach and inspiration throughout Baatarkhuu’s journey to title contention. The retired pioneer captured ONE Championship gold by defeating Koji Oishi in August 2014, becoming the first Mongolian to achieve that milestone while opening doors for an entire generation of fighters from his homeland.
Baatarkhuu credits Jadambaa’s guidance as the catalyst that transformed him from a regional competitor into a legitimate world-class fighter capable of challenging for ONE World Title gold. “The Tormentor,” as the challenger is called, has absorbed invaluable lessons while training alongside his mentor for over a decade, learning the mental fortitude and expertise required to succeed at MMA’s highest level.
“Watching my trainer compete in ONE Championship sparked a secret desire in me to follow in his footsteps. I’m absolutely thrilled that my wish has finally come true. And I will try to repeat his achievement 11 years ago,” Baatarkhuu said.
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.
