'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAQAAAQABAAD/2wCEAAMDAwMDAwQEBAQFBQUFBQcHBgYHBwsICQgJCAsRCwwLCwwLEQ8SDw4PEg8bFRMTFRsfGhkaHyYiIiYwLTA+PlQBAwMDAwMDBAQEBAUFBQUFBwcGBgcHCwgJCAkICxELDAsLDAsRDxIPDg8SDxsVExMVGx8aGRofJiIiJjAtMD4+VP/AABEIAAYACgMBIgACEQEDEQH/xABfAAEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABggQAAIBBAIDAQAAAAAAAAAAAAECBQADBAYREhMUMSMBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQRAQABBQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAECAAMREqEh/9oADAMBAAIRAxEAPwCR2ja5CTjrcBIoPXbYBmg41zxMJF+4XIZuCXVSCeprHEpqGrWZPNtnKkuUybqn80b4xH0sOaUoStu5iKhh5TmMZklPdjpX/9k='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Newly crowned ONE bantamweight world champion Fabricio Andrade is the perfect example of hard work and persistence paying off.
'Wonder Boy' has been grinding since he was, well, a boy. Perhaps that's how he got his moniker, as the Brazilian striker has been showing signs of greatness ever since he was a child.
In a photo shared to Fabricio Andrade's Instagram account, we were treated to a simple image of his 11-year journey summarized in two photos. It's quite endearing and inspiring in its simplicity.
Hardwork is truly the most simple yet difficult thing to pull off consistently.
Trending
Get the latest updates on One Championship Rankings at Sportskeeda and more
"From my first amateur muaythai fight to my first belt in MMA. 11 years of a lot of hard work, focus and discipline many ups and downs but always focused on evolving, now it's time for new challenges and goals and even bigger flights and the focus continues, up always 🚀 #wonderboy #tothetop"
Aside from being one of the best MMA fighters today, Fabricio Andrade was also a highly accomplished kickboxer, amassing an impressive 40-3 pro kickboxing and Muay Thai record.
From his roots as a kickboxer as a child to his superstar status as an MMA world champion, 'Wonder Boy' never let go of his steely determination and workman-like approach to training.
Expect bigger things to come for this 25-year-old striking savvant.
Fabricio Andrade reaches the top of the mountain at ONE Fight Night 7
After 11 years of hardwork, Fabricio Andrade finally reached the top of the mountain at ONE Fight Night 7.
On February 24, Andrade and his rival, former ONE bantamweight king John Lineker, stepped inside the iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Thailand with the vacant ONE bantamweight world title on line. The heavy-hitting KO artists delivered another dazzling display of courage, heart and ferocity that surpassed their first encounter last year.
The first half of the first round saw Lineker continually hunting for the KO and stalking Andrade across the ring. Initially having a hard time finding his range, 'Wonder Boy' managed to uncork a thunderous right hand midway into the round.
Lineker, who was clearly hurt, went into survival mode as Andrade went for the kill as the round ended.
The second and third rounds saw 'Hands of Stone' recovering from the first and continually finding a home for his debilitating hooks inside. At the same time, however, Andrade was also finding success with his distance strikes, particularly his jab and straight cross.
Round four saw a pivotal moment as Andrade unleashed a furious series of attacks that cut Lineker's eyes and sent him back reeling before getting saved by the bell once again.
Referee Herb Dean waived the fight off as Lineker's corner decided to throw in the towel between rounds four and five. The cuts and damage to Lineker's face were too severe for him to continue fighting safely, making Fabricio Andrade the new ONE bantamweight world champion.
Watch the full fight highlights here:
