Fabricio Andrade remembers when all he did in training was to stand and trade: “I just had the need to prove myself”

Before Brazilian superstar Fabricio Andrade captured the ONE bantamweight MMA world title, he had to pay his dues like everyone else.

‘Wonder Boy’ made the tough decision to leave his home in Fortaleza, Brazil, to relocate to Thailand and pursue his dream.

A relative unknown when he first joined the renowned Tiger Muay Thai in Phuket, Andrade recalled the times he practically lived in the gym.

The 28-year-old shared his early days in an interview with the South China Morning Post (SCMP):

"I also don't like it. You know, actually, when I was young, when I just arrived in Tiger Muay Thai, and I just had the need to prove myself, you know, I needed that, and I remember for a while I only did sparring. My training was only sparring.”

Andrade continued:

“So every week I was just sparring because they have Muay Thai sparring on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, morning and afternoon. So I did all of those, and then they had boxing sparring on Wednesday and Friday, and I also did those, and they have MMA sparring on Monday and Friday at 4:00 p.m. So I also did those."

Needless to say, those tough times paid off. Andrade will defend his belt in the main event of ONE Fight Night 38 against Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu.

The full event will emanate from Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on Dec .5, streaming live in U.S. primetime on Prime Video for North American fans.

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Fabricio Andrade proud of what he has become

Fabricio Andrade has come a long way from the favelas of Fortaleza to shining on the global stage.

For the Brazilian, it's his growth outside the ring that makes him prouder.

'Wonder Boy' said in the same SCMP interview:

“What I’m most proud of is that I became the man that I wanted to be. I want to become a man that other people can look at me and want to be like me.”

Watch the full interview: