Hailing from the vast and rugged steppes of Khovd, Mongolia, Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu has emerged as one of the most promising talents in the world of mixed martial arts today.
The protege of former ONE Featherweight World Champion Narantungalag “Tungaa” Jadambaa has steadily risen through the ranks in ONE Championship with his unstoppable pressure, punishing clinch work, smothering ground game, and iron chin.
Baatarkhuu developed an early passion for combat sports during his formative years. He would watch his favorite action heroes on television and engage in unorganized grappling matches with other young kids in his neighborhood. He enjoyed those activities so much that he eventually wanted to master wrestling. But ultimately, training in the ground art led him somewhere else.
He had hoped to be an Olympic gold medalist in taekwondo and a member of the Mongolian National Team, but when that failed to come to fruition, he decided to try something new. In 2009, Baatarkhuu discovered mixed martial arts and fell in love with it.
Baatarkhuu became a force to be reckoned with in both the local and regional circuits, racking up victory after victory. His incredible run led him to join the inaugural season of Road to ONE: Mongolia, a 10-episode reality series where a US$100,000 contract and a roster spot with ONE were up for grabs.
He seized the opportunity, earning back-to-back victories during the show’s two-part finale. In the tournament final, he scored a walk-off, one-punch knockout of compatriot Bat-Ochir Batsaikhan to wrest the six-figure deal and chance to perform on the global stage.
