MMA News: Fabricio Andrade Feels Confident He Can Dominate Filipino Foe

Fabricio Andrade is one of the young rising stars in ONE Championship and is set to take on a fellow upstart in Filipino fighter Jeremy Pacatiw.

Still undefeated, the 24-year-old Brazilian knows that he cannot let his guard down against the Filipino.

Although he holds high regard for Pacatiw, "Wonder Boy" remains confident that he can handle Team Lakay stalwart--a reason why he has been tirelessly preparing for their clash at ONE: Full Circle that will happen on Friday, February 25 at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

"I'm super excited for this fight and I can say that I have a perfect camp that I trained in. I can't wait to step back inside there," Andrade said.

"He's a good fighter and he is coming from a good win in his first fight here at ONE Championship," he added.

There is a lot at stake for Andrade, who currently occupies the No. 4 spot in the bantamweight rankings.

A win over the Filipino would be huge for Andrade, something that would further catapult his place in the 65.8-kilogram weight class.

"I'm just 24 years old and I was already ranked No. 4 on just my second fight in ONE. I think I am making a statement to the world with how I fight and I feel more and more confident every time I step inside the ONE Circle," he stressed.

Andrade bared that he has been carefully studying “The Juggernaut,” pinning his attention to Pacatiw's promotional debut in July 2021 where the Team Lakay representative waled away with a unanimous decision win over Chen Rui.

One thing that caught his eyes the most is Pacatiw’s striking prowess as well as improved grappling.

Despite the impressive performance and the threat that the Filipino brings, Andrade remains unperturbed.

"I am not worried about his game because I, too, bring many weapons for my fights," Andrade declared.

"My striking is different and the way I fight gives me confidence that I can break through any style of my opponents. My takedown defense has also given my opponents headaches in each of my fights, even those who are considered world-class grapplers like Shoko Sato. It's he who should be worried," he continued.

While a decisive victory at the expense of Pacatiw will surely help his case to get a shot at the bantamweight title, Andrade maintains that he is in no hurry,

"I don't have to rush. I will be the champion and no one can stop that," he stated.