Fabricio Andrade has yet to face any of the big names on the ONE Championship roster. But that will all change when he challenges reigning bantamweight champion John Lineker at ONE on Prime Video 3.
Andrade might not have a belt, or any household names on his resume, but one thing which the Brazilian is definitely not lacking is confidence. He believes that he is the best MMA fighter not just in his division but on the entire ONE Championship roster,
“I believe the best MMA fighter in the ONE Championship right now is me. And the best striker too. Nobody did what I’ve been doing. Three first-round knockouts, making tough fights look easy.”
😨 @fabriciowdb 🇧🇷 FOLDS Kwon Won Il in Round 1 with a kick to the liver!#ONE158 | #ONEChampionship | https://t.co/eBUfsODAFL pic.twitter.com/pGIIjmGWjR
— ONE Championship (@ONEChampionship) June 3, 2022
Fast finishes
Reinier de Ridder might have some objections here. The Dutchman has won seven fights out of seven for ONE Championship and captured titles in two different weight classes while doing it.
But Andrade thinks it is the manner in which he has been winning fights which sets him apart from everybody else. His last three wins have all come by way of stoppage due to strikes in the opening round.
The Brazilian believes it is the speed with which he finishes opponents that makes him the pound for pound king,
“No one has done this so far in the ONE Championship, so it proves that I am on a different level than every other athlete. And not just in my division, but I’m on a different level if we look at all the divisions in the ONE Championship.”
WOW 😨 Fabricio Andrade 🇧🇷 SHUTS DOWN Jeremy Pacatiw with a pinpoint knee to the liver! @fabriciowdb #ONEFullCircle #WeAreONE #ONEChampionship
Watch Now 👉 https://t.co/WDUDJAx0nU | Watch in 🇺🇸 on 👉 https://t.co/3F0ImkkhFC / https://t.co/ulhTwyJtQc pic.twitter.com/aVbMXGXVXX
— ONE Championship (@ONEChampionship) February 25, 2022
Famous fan
When asked to name their top pound for pound ONE Championship fighters a lot of fans would opt for Demetrious Johnson. The former UFC flyweight champion is actually a fan of Andrade’s and is excited to see him challenge Lineker for the belt,
“I really like Andrade. I really, really do. I think it’s the way he comes out and fights. He pushes the pace, he takes risks. I think that fight against John Lineker is going to be a great fight,” he said.
Andrade’s confidence is not exactly fragile. But he admits it is a boost to hear one of the best mixed martial artists in the history of the sport holds him in such high regard,
“It sure makes me very happy. Hearing this from a guy with the experience and the name he has motivates me a lot. It shows that my work is being recognized and motivates me to keep doing what I’m doing.”
