ONE Bantamweight MMA World Champion Fabricio “Wonder Boy” Andrade isn’t closing his doors on moving up a weight class and challenging featherweight king Tang Kai for the belt, but he acknowledges that the decision requires time to process.
Besides, he’s got plenty of work cut out for him in his weight class — especially with guys like #2-ranked Stephen Loman and the #4-ranked Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu hot on his heels.
That’s why he’s intending to stay in the division and give his challengers a fair shot at the belt.
“Yes, I’ve thought about moving up a weight class. Of course, it’s not an easy decision. I like to challenge myself, and that would be a great challenge, but there are many things that influence a decision like that,” Andrade said.
“Right now, it’s more interesting for me to stay in my weight class and continue defending my belt.”
Aside from the two, there are plenty of young talent in the bantamweight division, from the Team Lakay pairing of Carlo Bumina-ang and Jhanlo Mark Sangiao, and Ibragim Dauev — that division is peaking right now.”
Asked who he feels is next for him for his MMA defense, he gave the nod to noted Filipino tormentor Baatarkhuu as the rightful challenger to his crown — with three straight wins and six of seven victories in ONE Championship.
“Mongolian Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu, who just beat Jeremy Pacatiw, is a very experienced MMA fighter. He is coming off three straight wins and has fought in the top division, so he is a guy with a lot of experience. He is a strong guy with a very good grappling game. He is a guy who could definitely be a challenge for me in grappling,” Andrade said.
“I believe he is ready to fight for the belt because he is on a winning streak and because I have not fought him yet. I think that would be the fight to make at the moment.”
