Baatarkhuu challenges champion Fabricio Andrade 11 years after Jadambaa captured ONE Championship gold in his own featherweight title victory.
The 49-year-old coach has trained Baatarkhuu since 2012 and views the title opportunity as validation of his student’s dedication and consistency over more than a decade of development.
“The most important advantage Enkh-Orgil has is that he is persistent and hardworking. He is hardworking and honest,” Jadambaa said.
“Eleven years after I became World Champion, in the very organization where I held the title, my trainee Enkh-Orgil has earned the opportunity to fight for the championship belt. I’m personally very happy about this.”
Andrade represents a significant challenge for any bantamweight contender. The Brazilian champion 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. Andrade has compiled an eight-fight undefeated streak in ONE Championship’s MMA competition.
Jadambaa recognizes the level of opposition Baatarkhuu faces while expressing confidence in his student’s preparation.
“Of course, his opponent is a strong and skilled champion,” Jadambaa said.
“I hope that as a result of consistent training, he will win.”
Jadambaa identified Baatarkhuu’s championship potential following his second-round kimura submission of previously undefeated Jhanlo Mark Sangiao at ONE Fight Night 13 in August 2023.
The performance earned Baatarkhuu a $50,000 performance bonus from ONE Championship Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong and demonstrated his ability to compete at the division’s highest level.
“The moment I’m most proud of is when he won his match against Sangiao and earned a US$50,000 bonus,” Jadambaa said.
“The opponent was a strong guy, and he was undefeated at the time. Then, Enkh-Orgil followed his plan and endured a heavy blow as well. But I’m happy he went out there and won fairly. I was thrilled that he had accomplished his big goal.”
The Sangiao victory established Baatarkhuu’s credentials as a legitimate contender capable of executing strategy under pressure against elite competition.
He followed with submission victories over Carlo Bumina-ang and Aaron Canarte before earning a decision win over No. 5-ranked Jeremy Pacatiw at ONE Fight Night 29 in March to secure his title shot.
A victory would make Baatarkhuu the second Mongolian to capture ONE Championship gold and extend the legacy Jadambaa established with his own championship reign. The Team Tungaa representative has compiled a 6-1 record in ONE Championship since winning the Road to ONE: Mongolia tournament in 2022.
