“The best we have” - Fans have all the love for Fabricio Andrade’s rise from poverty to MMA superstardom

Fabricio Andrade is a shining example of how hard work has paved the way for his success.

Ahead of his upcoming ONE bantamweight MMA world championship defense against Kwon Won Il on Jan. 24, ONE Championship has highlighted Andrade's inspiring rise from humble beginnings to superstardom in a motivating video.

Watch the clip below:

Born and raised in Fortaleza, Brazil, Andrade grew up amid the harsh realities of crime and instability, which shaped his perspective on life. The challenges of his environment made it difficult for him to imagine a brighter future.

Despite his parents’ relentless efforts to support him and his two siblings, their financial struggles left them living below the poverty line. Opportunities seemed scarce, and Andrade’s self-esteem was low — until martial arts came into his life.

A visit to a Muay Thai gym with a friend marked a turning point for Andrade. Watching fighters earn respect through their bravery in the ring sparked a desire in him to follow in their footsteps.

Martial arts became his escape, providing a path out of the tough streets of Fortaleza.

After years of establishing his name on the local and regional circuits, ONE came calling, offering him a spot on its roster.

Since joining the world’s largest martial arts organization, Andrade has become an unstoppable force. The Brazilian is undefeated in the promotion with a 6-0 record (1 no contest), boasting four knockouts and a submission in his impressive run.

His defining moment came in February 2023, when he claimed the vacant ONE bantamweight MMA world title with a fourth-round TKO in a rematch against John Lineker.

Fans celebrated Andrade’s resilience in the comments section of the video posted above:

“The best we have.”

“A Brazilian-born Muay Thai fighter is the perfect recipe for MMA.”

“This is a warrior.”

“Andrade is a f***** savage. Not much of a fan of his hair color choices, but I guess [if] you fight that good, you can do whatever you want with your hair.”

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Fabricio Andrade looks to remain as bantamweight MMA king

Now, Fabricio Andrade looks to extend his reign when he returns to action at ONE 170, set for next week at the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand.

There, he will run it back with Kwon Won Il, with his coveted championship on the line this time around.