Fabricio Andrade Vs. Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu: 4 Keys To Victory In Bantamweight MMA World Title Showdown At ONE Fight Night 38
One of mixed martial arts’ most dangerous finishers will face a relentless force of nature when reigning ONE Bantamweight MMA World Champion Fabricio “Wonder Boy” Andrade defends his gold against surging Mongolian warrior Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu.
Set to go down in Bangkok, Thailand, live in U.S. primetime on Friday, December 5, the two go head-to-head in the main event of ONE Fight Night 38 on Prime Video, which serves as ONE’s final card of the year.
“Wonder Boy’s” explosive striking will meet the Mongolian challenger’s suffocating grappling in a classic clash of styles, and only one man will walk away with 26 pounds of gold over their shoulders.
Before these elite bantamweight warriors collide, we break down each fighter’s keys to victory.
#1 Andrade’s Devastating Body Shots
Few weapons have proven as decisively fight-ending as a perfectly placed body shot, and Fabricio Andrade has mastered this devastating technique.
The Brazilian mauler decimates his foes with fast and accurate strikes to the head that force high guards, leaving them susceptible to his rib-cracking assault to the midsection.
Andrade displayed this powerful move when he demolished former ONE Bantamweight MMA World Title challenger “Pretty Boy” Kwon Won Il not once, but twice — both times with sickening liver blows. His most recent finish at ONE 170 this past January took just 42 seconds with a vicious hook to the body.
The Evolve MMA and Tiger Muay Thai representative’s thunderous knee strike on Jeremy “The Juggernaut” Pacatiw produced that same reverberating thud, leaving the Filipino doubled over in pain at ONE: Full Circle in February 2022.
Andrade’s body shots directly threaten Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu’s pressure-heavy style and serve as the Brazilian’s most proven finishing tool.
Against a fighter who thrives on forward pressure, Andrade’s body blows could drain the challenger’s well, turning strength into liability.
If this fight reaches the championship rounds, which is uncharted territory for Baatarkhuu, that accumulated damage could prove decisive.
#2 Baatarkhuu’s Suffocating Grappling
Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu has raced to a 6-1 record in ONE Championship, using a fearsome grappling arsenal that has drowned many opponents in deep water.
The Mongolian bruiser is built like a tank, powered by punishing chain wrestling that goes beyond brute strength. Many fans around the world witnessed his ungodly strength on full display by watching him compete in Physical: Asia on Netflix.
His elite techniques maximize pressure while minimizing escape routes, and once he gets on top, Baatarkhuu hunts for finishes with terrifying efficiency.
His signature kimura has been an absolute nightmare for opponents to deal with. Jhanlo Mark “The Machine” Sangiao tapped to the wrenching shoulder lock at ONE Fight Night 13, while Aaron “Tommy Gun” Canarte lasted barely a round at ONE Fight Night 27.
And when the kimura isn’t available, Baatarkhuu has plenty more tricks up his sleeve. His last-second arm-triangle choke put Carlo Bumina-ang to sleep at ONE Fight Night 24 last year.
By forcing Andrade to fight off his back, Baatarkhuu can neutralize the Brazilian’s striking advantage entirely and shift the fight into his domain.
#3 Andrade’s Masterful Distance Management
What makes Fabricio Andrade truly dangerous is his ability to dictate where the action takes place.
The 28-year-old maximizes his height and reach advantages. His jabs and low kicks damage from a distance, while his teeps and takedown defense prevent entries before they develop.
When opponents get too close, his perfect timing on those piercing knees and elbows makes them think twice.
Andrade neutralized feared knockout puncher John “Hands of Stone” Lineker‘s dreaded power shots in two fights with beautiful timing and accuracy, systematically breaking down the former titleholder to claim the World Championship at ONE Fight Night 7 in 2023.
Meanwhile, Baatarkhuu loves to get close and personal, smothering opponents with pressure. But he hasn’t faced someone with Andrade’s pedigree — a cerebral striker who understands range and timing at the highest level.
If “Wonder Boy” is able to maintain that distance, every step forward will become a calculated risk for Baatarkhuu.
#4 Baatarkhuu’s Elite Conditioning
Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu possesses a rare combination — devastating power paired with an endless gas tank that makes him a terror over long fights.
The 36-year-old became a fan favorite on Physical: Asia, where he displayed extraordinary conditioning in physically daunting challenges for Team Mongolia.
This relentless pace translates perfectly to his fighting style. Baatarkhuu marches forward constantly, absorbs strikes, and grinds opponents down through sheer grit and brute strength.
His durability is legendary. He survived a knockdown from Sangiao that would have put lesser fighters away, and then he stormed back to secure the victory.
Baatarkhuu’s iron chin and endless gas tank allow him to walk through danger to get into grappling range, where his clinch work and dirty boxing force opponents into uncomfortable exchanges.
The championship rounds may be unfamiliar territory for Baatarkhuu, but his elite conditioning has him uniquely equipped to thrive in these situations.
If he can survive the early onslaught from Andrade, his superior stamina could turn inexperience into the biggest victory of his career.
