The 5-Fight Win Streak That Propelled Fabricio Andrade To Bantamweight World Title Shot
Brazilian rising star Fabricio Andrade is one of the most exciting Mixed Martial Arts World Title challengers in recent memory.
Undefeated since joining ONE, “Wonder Boy” will meet reigning king John Lineker for the ONE Bantamweight World Championship at ONE on Prime Video 3 on Friday, October 21.
The 24-year-old Andrade competed in more than 40 Muay Thai fights before transitioning to MMA, and he’s used his combination of clean striking and blazing speed to win seven straight fights in the all-around sport.
Five of those victories have come in ONE Championship, and with four finishes during that stretch – along with an outgoing, confident personality – the young phenom has quickly become a fan favorite.
Before he vies for gold live in U.S. primetime, let’s recap “Wonder Boy’s” epic run to this World Title opportunity.
Chokes Out Mark Abelardo In Debut
Andrade made his first ONE Championship appearance at 22 years old when he took on fellow knockout artist Mark Abelardo in July 2020.
Just as he would throughout the rest of his winning streak, the Brazilian used lighting-fast, long, straight punches to set the range, bloodying his opponent’s face in the process.
In the second round, a frustrated Abelardo lunged for a takedown, which Andrade defended. And in a rare showcase of “Wonder Boy’s” ground game, he swiftly took the Filipino-Kiwi veteran’s back and choked him unconscious in a matter of seconds.
With that, the bantamweight MMA division was officially on notice.
Outlasts Shoko Sato
Having earned the #4 contender spot in the bantamweight division, Andrade next faced streaking Japanese star Shoko Sato at ONE: UNBREAKABLE III in February 2021.
Riding a six-fight winning streak and with more than 45 MMA bouts on his resume, Sato represented a serious step up in competition and held the #2 contender spot.
However, “Wonder Boy” handled the challenge with relative ease, showing off savvy defense on the mat while winning most of the stand-up exchanges.
He was particularly effective in the clinch, where he used vicious elbow strikes to open up a cut on Sato’s head, leaving him in a crimson mask to end the contest.
Andrade would see the judges for just the second time in his mixed martial arts tenure, but he earned a clear-cut unanimous decision victory to continue his ascent.
Demolishes Li Kai Wen In First Round
At ONE: WINTER WARRIORS II in December 2021, “Wonder Boy” squared off with dangerous Chinese fighter Li Kai Wen, who had finished each of his previous four opponents.
Unfazed by Li’s power, the Brazilian was full of confidence that night, pumping a piston-like jab early and often to upset his foe’s rhythm and maintain the distance.
After just a few minutes, that jab set up a clean knee to “The Underdog’s” body, and that would signal the beginning of the end.
Andrade poured on strikes, including even more knees to the body. A left high kick followed by a flurry of punches sent the Chinese athlete crashing to the mat, and it was “Goodnight, Irene” in under five minutes.
With another impressive win, a hyped Andrade screamed to the cameras, “I want the belt!”
Makes Quick Work Of Jeremy Pacatiw
“Wonder Boy” would have to wait for a World Title shot, though, as his next opponent was a fellow rising star in Filipino sanda specialist Jeremy Pacatiw.
The two men squared off at ONE: FULL CIRCLE in February 2022, and while their matchup was expected to be closely contested, Andrade barely broke a sweat.
Fighting out of the southpaw stance, the Brazilian caught Pacatiw lunging forward and dispatched him with a devastating knee to the liver, finishing the bout in less than two minutes.
Finishes Kwon Won Il Even Faster
In his most recent outing at ONE 158 this past June, Andrade needed just over a minute to demolish then-#2-ranked contender Kwon Won Il.
Just like his previous fight, “Wonder Boy” leaned on traditional southpaw weapons – the left kick and the straight left punch.
Following a few exchanges, Andrade landed a thunderous left kick to Kwon’s body, sending him to the floor screaming in agony as the referee called an end to the contest.
After yet another statement victory, the Brazilian added a special message in his post-fight celebration.
“John Lineker, you are next!” Andrade shouted from atop the Circle Wall.
