Fabricio Andrade was always willing to scrap even as a kid

Fighting has always been a part of Fabricio Andrade’s life, long before he even stepped foot inside the circle.

As ‘Wonder Boy’ enters the biggest match of his promising career at ONE Fight Night 7 against John Lineker, he recalled his humble beginnings growing up in Fortaleza, Caera, Brazil.

The 25-year-old superstar will look to claim the vacant ONE bantamweight throne this Friday, February 24, at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

In the lead-up to the rematch of the century, which will be broadcast free for Amazon Prime Video subscribers in the United States and Canada, Andrade revealed that he was already scrapping at young age:

“I wasn’t very outgoing, I was more quiet. Sometimes it happened that someone provoked me, but I found a way to return the provocation or defend myself. I always tried to defend myself. I never took s*** home, and I fought when I needed to fight.”

Contrary to his pre-fight theatrics, Andrade brings a no-nonsense approach once the circle door closes between him and any opponent. Turns out, that kill-or-get-killed mentality comes from his rough upbringing, which ultimately molded him into the fighter that we all know and love today.

Andrade has truly come a long way since his troubled juvenile years. The Tiger Muay Thai standout will once again channel that innate aggression in his do-over with heated rival Lineker.

Fabricio Andrade, after all, still has a score to settle with his fellow Brazilian after the unfortunate ending to their last match. ‘Wonder Boy’ was extremely close to realizing his destiny to become a ONE world champion after rocking Lineker with his signature knee to the body.

But the follow-up blow hit lower than expected, crushing both Lineker’s groin cup and Andrade’s dream in the process. ‘Wonder Boy’ will look to finally right that wrong at ONE Fight Night 7.

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Fabricio Andrade shows respect for John Lineker’s career accomplishments

Not one to bite his tongue, Fabricio Andrade has spewed his fair share of trash talk in the build-up to his rematch with John Lineker.

However, at the end of the day, ‘Wonder Boy’ made it clear that he actually admires what Lineker has done over the course of his storied fighting career.

The top-ranked bantamweight contender said during his ONE Fight Night 7 pre-event interview:

“As I said before, I have all the respect for the history that he built. I have been watching him for a long time. He's been around for a long time. So he got my respect for that. But now, it's my time. He's talking about a different time.”

Here’s Fabricio Andrade’s full interview, via The MMA Superfan: