“The countdown has begun” - Fabricio Andrade primed to deliver the noise in world title defense against Kwon Won Il at ONE 170

Fabricio Andrade (left) and Kwon Won Il (right). [Photos from ONE Championship]
Fabricio Andrade (left) and Kwon Won Il (right). [Photos from ONE Championship]

Fabricio Andrade is ready to unleash his pent-up energy when he defends his throne against familiar foe Kwon Won Il.

The reigning ONE bantamweight MMA world champion will defend his gold against the South Korean knockout machine at the stacked ONE 170 card on Jan. 24 at Impact Arena.

Andrade has been pouring his soul into his training camp in preparation for his rematch against Kwon in Bangkok.

Taking to Instagram, Fabricio Andrade said he can't wait to defend his throne and show the world why he's considered one of the best fighters of the current generation.

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"The work is being done, the countdown has begun. I'm ready to defend my belt! January 24th, I can't wait 🦾🏆🙌🏽," he posted.

Andrade holds an unblemished MMA record in ONE Championship at 6-0 (1 no-contest), with five of his wins coming via either knockout or submission.

Despite being a natural striker, he did start his career in kickboxing, Andrade took a submission win over Mark Abelardo at ONE: No Surrender.

Andrade then chalked up knockout wins against Li Kai Wen, Jeremy Pacatiw, Kwon, and John Lineker.

His fourth-round stoppage of Lineker at ONE Fight Night 7 solidified Andrade's reputation as he claimed the vacant ONE bantamweight MMA world title in Bangkok.

Andrade now looks to maintain that perfect record against the same man he knocked out ONE 158.

Kwon, however, won't be the same fighter that Andrade fought in Singapore.

'Pretty Boy' quickly recovered from his setback and tallied three straight knockout wins against Abelardo, Artem Belakh, and Shinechagtga Zoltsetseg to set up his world title rematch against Andrade.


Fabricio Andrade recounts his rough childhood in Fortaleza

Fabricio Andrade is the perfect example of fighting through adversity.

More than his incredible run in ONE Championship, what made Andrade such a ferocious fighter was his rough childhood in the poverty-stricken streets of Fortaleza in Brazil.

In a previous Instagram post, Andrade recalled how the fight game gave him a goal to rise from poverty and a vision to give his family a better life.

"The fight [game] gave me a goal and a dream, but the journey was not easy, especially coming from where I came from, but it is not impossible either, those who dream achieve their dreams, so I hope to continue realizing my dreams and motivating people to do the same, I still have many to achieve but I am very grateful for everything that has happened. #thankyouGod #gratitude #letsgoup #one170 #onechampionship."

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Edited by Tejas Rathi
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