“It’s very easy to make it happen” - Fabricio Andrade open to potential MMA world title defense against Jonathan Haggerty

Reigning and undisputed ONE bantamweight MMA world champion Fabricio Andrade of Brazil knows the chapter of his story with familiar foe Jonathan Haggerty is far from over.

In fact, ‘Wonder Boy’ is even open to running it back with ‘The General’ if he ever decides to shift to mixed martial arts.

Haggerty captured the ONE bantamweight kickboxing world championship with a brutal knockout of Andrade at ONE Fight Night 16 back in 2023.

The 28-year-old Londoner has publicly expressed interest in pursuing MMA, and even insisted he deserves a title opportunity right away.

But as much as Andrade wants to redeem himself against Haggerty, he pointed out the pecking order of things. If ‘The General’ wants a shot at his gold, he must prove his worth in MMA first.

The 28-year-old superstar told the Bangkok Post’s Nick Atkin in a recent interview:

"I think it would be good to build this fight, you know. If he does an MMA fight first, you know, like if he's never fought MMA, you cannot just go straight for the title, you know. But they can give him an opponent. He makes his debut, and then it's very easy to make it happen."

Watch the full interview:

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Fabricio Andrade bracing for title defense vs. Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu

In the meantime, Fabricio Andrade is focusing on the immediate threat at hand in the form of Mongolian challenger Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu.

The Brazilian superstar will put his 26 pounds of gold on the line against 'The Tormentor' in the main event of ONE Fight Night 38 on Dec. 5 in Bangkok, Thailand.

In the same interview with Nick Atkin, 'Wonder Boy' credited his surging opponent as a worthy foe:

"He's coming from good wins. He had a loss against Artem Belakh back in—I don't remember the exact date—but after that, he got three wins again. So, he's deserving, you know. So let's go."

Prime Video subscribers in North America can witness ONE Fight Night 38 free live in U.S. primetime.