Welcome To The ‘Crazy Dog Show’ – BJJ Phenom Fabricio Andrey Breaks Down Clash With Ashley Williams
Fans are in for a treat when Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu star Fabricio “Hokage” Andrey makes his highly anticipated ONE Championship debut at ONE Fight Night 30: Kryklia vs. Knowles on Prime Video this Friday, April 4.
That night, live in U.S. primetime, he’ll lock horns with decorated Welsh veteran Ashley Williams in a featherweight submission grappling contest that has fireworks written all over it.
Widely recognized as one of the grappling scene’s most entertaining competitors, Andrey plans to put on an unforgettable show at Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium.
The Brazilian’s highlight reel is already loaded with flying submissions, high-amplitude takedowns, and explosive scrambles. He’s ready to add to his dizzying collection at ONE Fight Night 30 and properly introduce himself to ONE’s massive global fan base.
He told onefc.com:
“For the fans who have never seen me compete before, it’s nice to meet you. My name is Fabricio Andrey, better known as ‘Hokage.’ And my style of grappling is like this, it’s the ‘Crazy Dog Show.'”
Indeed, Andrey is a supremely gifted athlete who uses his raw physicality and ultra-aggressive style of grappling to excite the masses.
But the 25-year-old is much more than just an entertainer – he’s one of the planet’s top BJJ black-belt competitors. He is an IBJJF European and World Champion, boasting huge victories over a number of the sport’s best grapplers.
While Andrey has plenty of respect for Williams, he’s not overly concerned about what his battle-tested foe will bring to the table this Friday.
The Brazilian said:
“I think his best attacks are the leg locks and heel hooks. It’s not something that worries me, but I have to be careful during the fight so that nothing unexpected happens. But we’re already working and training in the best way possible so that we don’t get caught out of position during the fight.
“Ash’s biggest weaknesses? I don’t know, I’ll find out when the fight comes. I know my biggest advantage, and I think it’s my physique, especially my strength and my speed. So, I think those are the biggest advantages I’ll have over him.”
Few would disagree that Andrey holds an overall strength, speed, and physicality advantage over his adversary. But of course, that’s not the entire story.
For his part, Williams possesses undeniably elite submission defense, having been tapped just twice over the course of his lengthy career at the highest levels.
However, Williams is no stranger to beating his opponents at their own game, which is exactly what he expects to do at ONE Fight Night 30.
“Hokage” added:
“I’ve fought a lot of good guard players. I’ve fought a lot of good wrestlers. I’ve managed to take down the best wrestlers in my category. I’ve managed to pass the guard of the best guard players in my division. I’ve managed to take down the best judokas. So, why not submit someone who is difficult to submit? Let’s go.”
Andrey Outlines Path To Submission Against Williams
Fabricio Andrey plans to impose his will on Ashley Williams from the opening bell.
To that end, he thinks the Welch dynamo might try his hand at wrestling. But once he feels the powerful Brazilian’s stand-up game, “Hokage” believes he’ll quickly try to pull guard.
Andrey offered:
“He’ll pull guard for sure. But how? We don’t know. But forget about exchanging takedowns because that’s not going to happen. Maybe he’ll try it in the first 30 seconds. He might try a few takedowns, and when he realizes that it won’t work for him, he’ll pull guard, which is natural. I think I’m a good wrestler, who has a lot of flying submissions, so I don’t think he’ll take that risk.”
If — and when — Williams pulls guard, Andrey will have him right where he wants him.
The Brazilian’s game plan is a simple one, but one he’s followed countless times over the course of his impressive career.
“Hokage” said:
“He’s going to try to take me down in the first 20 seconds. He’s going to take two heavy slaps on the neck, then he’s going to jump into closed guard or some other guard that allows him to wrap around my legs. I’m going to get out, pass his guard, take his back, and submit him.”
