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Giving Back: After World Title Glory, ONE Bantamweight Champion Fabricio Andrade Buys Mother A New Home

By Mike Joseph

For ONE Bantamweight MMA World Champion Fabricio Andrade, success is about more than just himself. "Wonder Boy" wants to look after his nearest and dearest. In fact, since achieving World Championship status, Andrade has taken steps toward doing just that.

The Brazilian looks to expand his legacy at ONE Fight Night 16 on Saturday, 4 November, when he meets ONE bantamweight Muay Thai king Jonathan Haggerty for the weight bracket's vacant kickboxing strap at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

Fabricio Andrade

Andrade captured the vacant ONE Bantamweight MMA World Title after a fourth-round knockout of legendary brawler John Lineker this past February at ONE Fight Night 7. And with gold draped over his shoulder, "Wonder Boy" can finally give his mother a better life.

"I bought the house right after winning the belt. Right after my victory over John Lineker, I went to Brazil and started looking," champion Andrade said on the new house.

"When I was looking for the house, I didn't have many demands. Especially because the house we grew up in was very simple, very humble, built with as few resources as possible."

Many years ago, Andrade moved from Brazil to Thailand to chase his dreams of combat sports glory. Sacrifice was a huge part of Andrade's story. Especially when transitioning from Muay Thai striker to MMA. Now, becoming a World Champion in the all-encompassing sport has him beginning to reap the rewards.

From where he came from to sitting atop of the ONE bantamweight MMA realm, "Wonder Boy" isn't forgetting those who helped him along the way. He knows he can't get back the time he has spent away from his family. But he'll sleep easier knowing he has improved their livelihoods.

"I'm at a point where being able to help my parents and sisters is what motivates me daily. I have already fulfilled most of my personal dreams, and now, I want to change the lives of people close to me. My goal is to provide a life change for the better for my family and those close to me," Andrade said.

"It's not very easy for me to always go to Brazil [from his current home in Thailand], so I lost a lot of connection with them. But it's the price I had to pay."

Story first published: Friday, October 27, 2023, 15:38 [IST]
Other articles published on Oct 27, 2023
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