The reigning ONE Bantamweight MMA World Champion, Fabricio Andrade, is set to defend his coveted title against the formidable #4-ranked Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu at ONE Fight Night 38. The electrifying event is scheduled for Friday, December 5, and will take place inside the prestigious Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. After almost three years at the summit, the 28-year-old Brazilian acknowledges that his driving force has evolved beyond the desperation that once fueled him through hardship, adversity, and countless years of unwavering dedication.
Ascending to the championship status has enabled Andrade to cultivate maturity, engage in thoughtful introspection, and ultimately redefine his core values. The native of Fortaleza has openly discussed the transformative influence of success, shaping him into an individual who embraces accountability, stability, and a profound sense of purpose that transcends the initial motivations that propelled him when he first ventured away from his family.
Securing the championship belt triggered emotions that caught him completely off guard. Surprisingly, it wasn’t feelings of pride or celebratory triumph that resonated most profoundly, but rather an overwhelming sense of disbelief that his arduous journey had finally culminated in a more promising destination. Reflecting on his achievement, Andrade shares that it didn’t evoke a sense of having reached his ultimate goal. Instead, it prompted him to confront aspects of his character that he felt compelled to improve.
The added pressures that come with being the titleholder underscored the importance of remaining grounded. For the first time in his professional career, Andrade consciously shifted his focus towards stability, gradually diminishing his fixation on unchecked ambition. This subtle internal shift has proven to be one of the most significant transformations he’s experienced since capturing the coveted belt. What used to manifest as a constant feeling of needing to prove himself has been replaced by a sense of assurance.
“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,” he shared.
“One of the things that had really changed in my mind was a bit of the ego. 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.”
Fabricio Andrade cultivated a sense of stability through family and marriage
Long before reaching the pinnacle of the bantamweight division, Fabricio Andrade endured years of relentless struggle for survival. He faced extreme challenges in China, grappling with financial hardship and a lack of proficiency in the English language, resolving that he would never return home in a worse state than when he left. These experiences forged the unwavering mindset that eventually propelled him toward championship glory.
Once that pivotal moment arrived, his life underwent a swift and dramatic transformation. The most significant change was the newfound ability to provide generously for his loved ones, which included purchasing a new house for his mother. Another momentous change came about with his marriage. Andrade credits finding a life partner who mirrored his core principles and shared his lifestyle aspirations as a major catalyst for personal growth, inspiring him to become a more present and responsible individual.
He acknowledges his wife for helping him stay grounded, offering unwavering support through the demanding routine of being a world-class fighter, and encouraging him to evolve into a calmer and more stable version of himself. Success didn’t erase the memories of past difficulties, but it infused them with deeper meaning.
“It was a dream, but I was able to make it happen for my family,” he said. “You start to do good things, and you want to keep doing more and more. You get addicted to doing good things.”
“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.”
