Kwon Won Il proud to serve as inspiration to his team back home: “They look up to me”

Third-ranked ONE Championship bantamweight MMA contender 'Pretty Boy' Kwon Won Il of South Korea is fighting for gold and glory in his next. More importantly, the hard-hitting slugger says he is fighting to inspire those from back home who look up to him.

Kwon has inspired many young fighters and athletes in South Korea since he joined the world's largest martial arts organization. And a victory over his next opponent, reigning ONE bantamweight MMA world champion 'Wonder Boy' Fabricio Andrade, would be astronomic for 'Pretty Boy' and his team.

Speaking in a recent guest interview on Anything Goes, Kwon talked about motivating his students and fulfilling their dreams by winning the belt.

'Pretty Boy' said:

"For my team, I’m the leader of my team - I’m the leader, I’m the captain, I’m the coach. So a lot of people, I believe, who dream of becoming a MMA fighter or who’s a current MMA fighter, I believe that they look up to me and that they dream. I believe this, me being a world champion, will give them a good motivation. That’s what it would mean for the team."

Needless to say, Kwon has a very tough task ahead of him, as he faces an Andrade who made quick work of him in their first encounter a few years ago.

Kwon Won Il and Fabricio Andrade do battle at ONE 170 for bantamweight MMA supremacy

Kwon Won Il is set to run it back with Fabricio Andrade for the ONE bantamweight MMA world title at ONE 170: Tawanchai vs. Superbon II, which broadcasts live in Asia primetime from the state-of-the-art Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand on Friday, Jan. 24, 2025.

Fans in the United States and Canada can visit ONE Championship's official website for more information on how to watch.

Stay tuned to Sportskeeda MMA for all the latest news and updates surrounding the event as it happens.