'Didn't Expect' - Fabricio Andrade Elated To Defend MMA Crown In Just 42 Seconds At ONE 170

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Fabricio Andrade is called "Wonder Boy" for a reason - he has a knack for finishing his opponents in mere minutes. His latest victim was the dangerous knockout artist Kwon Won Il, whom he defeated in 42 seconds at ONE 170.

On Friday, 24 January, at sold-out Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand, Andrade entered the ONE Circle to defend his ONE Bantamweight MMA World Title. This was a rematch of their 2022 bout, where the Brazilian defeated the South Korean in 62 seconds.

This time around, the 27-year-old was expecting a tougher fight. As expected, Kwon charged forward from the get-go. But it proved to be a big mistake against the heavy-hitting Andrade.

Andrade delivered a liver shot that marked the beginning of the end. He then followed up with ground-and-pound, and referee Herb Dean waved off the fight in just 42 seconds. Andrade said he was expecting takedown attempts from his rival but adjusted his game plan accordingly.

"I didn't expect him to strike and come forward. I thought he would strike going backward and then shoot for takedowns. But when I saw that he came to fight, I needed to fight fire with fire," Andrade said.

"I still have a lot of room for improvement. I think I am not my best yet. I want to defend my belt at least three times more this year, and whoever ONE Championship wants me to fight, I will fight."

The reigning ONE World Champion successfully defended his belt and remains undefeated in MMA on the global stage. Coming from a poor family in Fortaleza, Brazil, "Wonder Boy" worked incredibly hard to get where he is right now.

To break the shackles of poverty, he moved out of his home country in search of a better life. He lived and competed in China for some time before making his ONE debut in 2020. That was the turning point of his career.

"I just want to thank you so much, [ONE Chairman and CEO] Chatri [Sityodtong] and ONE Championship. Man, I came from nothing. I really came from nothing. Anybody who knows my history, knows my background, knows that I come from nothing.

"I wished to come here and go through everything, and ONE Championship gave me the opportunity back in 2020, and now I'm a World Champion - and I'm rich! Thank you so much, ONE Championship and Chatri!"