The 36-year-old Mongolian earned his title opportunity after compiling a 6-1 record in ONE Championship since winning the Road to ONE: Mongolia tournament in 2022. His most recent victory came against No. 5-ranked Jeremy Pacatiw at ONE Fight Night 29 in March, establishing his credentials as a legitimate threat to the throne.
Baatarkhuu enters his first main event assignment against a champion who has established himself as one of the division’s most dangerous finishers. Andrade captured the title with victories over John Lineker and defended it with a 42-second knockout of Kwon Won Il at ONE 170 in January.
“I’m equally thrilled to have the opportunity to demonstrate my skills in such a major league,” Baatarkhuu said.
“I’m sincerely grateful for the recognition of my skills and for giving me the chance to fight in the main event. I’m very pleased that ONE is putting together such a high-level matchup.
“I believe they value my skills and trust that I can deliver a strong performance. This is basically the pinnacle of martial arts. It’s a real test to see whether my skills are truly at a high level.”
The Team Tungaa representative recognizes the technical challenge Andrade presents. The Brazilian champion’s striking precision and finishing ability have defined his championship reign.
“Fabricio is very skilled and talented,” Baatarkhuu said.
“He had many title fights, and he claimed the championship in his weight category. This is not something that someone with limited skills can do. He is a highly skilled, top-level fighter.”
Baatarkhuu’s grappling-heavy approach has proven effective against elite strikers throughout his ONE Championship tenure. He submitted Jhanlo Mark Sangiao, Carlo Bumina-ang, and Aaron Canarte, demonstrating his ability to neutralize offensive threats through ground control and submission attacks.
The Mongolian plans to utilize his complete skill set rather than relying exclusively on grappling exchanges against Andrade’s striking.
“It’s difficult to say at the moment, as we haven’t truly faced each other in competition,” Baatarkhuu said.
“It may only become clear what level a person is at on the day of the fight, with the outcome deciding afterward.
“In general, I use all types of mixed martial arts fighting styles and techniques. It’s not only Muay Thai or kickboxing. I try to mix them all as much as possible. Well, I guess I might be stronger.”
Baatarkhuu trains under former ONE Featherweight MMA World Champion Narantungalag Jadambaa, who captured Mongolia’s first ONE Championship title with his victory over Koji Oishi in August 2014. The relationship between trainer and student spans more than a decade.
“Undoubtedly, his influence was highly impactful,” Baatarkhuu said.
“I first met my trainer in 2012, and we’ve been training together for many years. I believe I reached my current level by observing how my trainer prepared to achieve such a high standard. The training I underwent at the world championship level, as well as the preparation for my ONE Championship fight, was very intense.”
A victory would make Baatarkhuu the second Mongolian to capture ONE Championship gold, fulfilling an ambition formed while watching his trainer compete.
“Watching my trainer compete in ONE Championship sparked a secret desire in me to follow in his footsteps,” Baatarkhuu said.
“I’m absolutely thrilled that my wish has finally come true. And I will try to repeat his achievement 11 years ago.”
