‘I Have Never Seen Anything Like It’ – Fabricio Andrey Reflects On ONE Debut Ahead Of Eduardo Granzotto Clash At ONE Fight Night 36

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu World Champion Fabricio “Hokage” Andrey has graced the most prestigious mats across the globe, yet nothing prepared him for the sheer spectacle of his ONE Championship debut.

The grappling savant will return for his sophomore appearance against promotional newcomer Eduardo Granzotto in a bantamweight submission grappling clash at ONE Fight Night 36: Prajanchai vs. Di Bella II on Prime Video. The Brazilian countrymen collide live in U.S. primetime on Friday, October 3 from Bangkok, Thailand.

Andrey dominated Ashley Williams at ONE Fight Night 30 this past April, earning a unanimous decision victory. But beyond the impressive win, the Manaus native was transfixed by the electric atmosphere that surrounded him in the world’s largest martial arts organization.

The bright lights, thunderous crowd, and global stage left the seasoned competitor awestruck. Seeing submission grappling elevated to such heights filled him with pride.

But ONE offered more than spectacular theatrics – it delivered the perfect ruleset for Andrey’s grappling DNA. The format eliminates stalling, rewards aggression, and incentivizes finishes. For a fighter who lives to submit, it felt like home.

The 25-year-old elaborated on what made the experience so special:

“I literally have never seen anything like it. And it’s a bold statement considering that I’ve been in pretty much every stage in BJJ and grappling around the world. Production is unparalleled, and the way you guys take care of me is second to none. I feel very fortunate to be a part of the ONE roster.

“I’m always hunting for positional control that leads to submission. ONE Championship prioritizes submitting your opponent, so I feel much more confident fighting here.”

Despite dominating Williams with relentless takedowns and positional control, Andrey left unsatisfied. The Alliance affiliate dictated the entire match but couldn’t secure the finish that defines his style, missing the mark on both the US$50,000 performance bonus and his signature artistry. 

He reflected: 

“I did everything I could to get positional control that would lead to a submission. My opponent did everything he could to avoid being submitted. It’s tough when only one of us is hunting for it while the other is defending every attempt instead of fighting back. I want someone who goes for it the same way I will go for it.

“That’s my natural instinct, and the bonus will come naturally when I get the finish. If there was no bonus, I would still hunt for the submission because that’s who I am, that’s my game.”

Now, “Hokage” seeks to redeem himself, in a clash that carries personal stakes. Granzotto defeated Andrey at the IBJJF World Championships earlier this year, winning by points in gi competition.

Andrey remains convinced the better fighter didn’t win that day:

“I feel like the ruleset beat me. I started all the attacks, I disregarded the advantage I had on the scoreboard, and kept looking for the submission. He ended up getting points from escaping subs and luckily landing on top while I attacked him full force. I don’t feel like I lost that match even though I did. I was the aggressor. He capitalized by playing the ruleset game.”

Without the gi grips to slow the pace, Andrey believes their upcoming rematch will unleash his true potential. The Brazilian continued:

“One thing is for sure: he won’t be able to stall me. No grips, no lapels, no holding back. I think I’m able to showcase my best version in no-gi matches. I’m not countering at all. I’m pushing the pace. I will be on the hunt, he’s the prey.”

Andrey Eyes A Devastating Finish Against Granzotto

Fabricio Andrey is exuding confidence knowing exactly what to expect from Eduardo Granzotto. Having studied the 22-year-old CheckMat representative extensively, he’s identified fatal flaws to exploit.

“Hokage” promises total warfare when the two finally head to the mats. This means crushing takedowns, seamless transitions, and full-on aerial assaults. Nothing is off-limits for the 25-year-old elite grappler:

“It’s gonna be nonstop action on my end. I’ll be ready to capitalize on any opportunities I see. I expect to get to his back mid-match and choke him out. But I’ll be paying close attention to where he puts his arms when defending, as flying attacks are also part of my game.

“I’m prepared to go ten minutes of straight action, but I don’t think it will take that long to find what I’m looking for. And when I find it, it’s game over.”

With nothing holding him back, Andrey is ready to go all-out. He believes a spectacular finish against Granzotto won’t just settle old scores – it will announce the arrival of submission grappling’s most dynamic predator. 

He concluded: 

“Expect an even more aggressive ‘Hokage’ this time around. And when I’m done with Eduardo, you’ll be thrilled with who I want next!”