Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu will challenge Fabricio Andrade for the ONE Bantamweight MMA World Championship on Friday, December 5, in Bangkok after compiling a resume built on dramatic finishes and relentless pressure.
The fourth-ranked Mongolian contender earned his opportunity through a six-fight ONE Championship run that includes five victories, with four coming by stoppage. Baatarkhuu's path began at Road to ONE: Mongolia in December 2022, where he won the tournament with a knockout of Batochir Batsaikhan to claim a $100,000 contract.
His promotional debut at ONE Friday Fights 13 in April 2023 showcased the smothering pressure that would become his trademark, earning a unanimous decision over Adonis Sevilleno. Baatarkhuu followed with a first-round TKO of Rockie Bactol at ONE Friday Fights 17, using diverse striking before finishing with ground strikes.
The 36-year-old protege of former ONE Featherweight MMA World Champion Narantungalag Jadambaa delivered his biggest statement at ONE Fight Night 13 against previously unbeaten Jhanlo Mark Sangiao. Despite being dropped twice in the opening round, Baatarkhuu rallied to rock the Team Lakay prospect with an elbow before securing a second-round kimura submission. The performance earned a $50,000 bonus and launched his rise toward title contention.
Baatarkhuu suffered his first promotional loss at ONE Fight Night 18 in January 2024 when Artem Belakh stopped him with strikes after the Mongolian had controlled nearly 10 minutes with top pressure. The setback proved temporary as Baatarkhuu returned at ONE Fight Night 24 against Carlo Bumina-ang, dragging the unbeaten Filipino through three rounds before locking an arm-triangle choke with one second remaining to force the stoppage at 4:59 of the final round.
His next outing saw Baatarkhuu move up to featherweight at ONE Fight Night 27 in January, where he submitted Aaron Canarte with his signature kimura midway through the opening round. The performance demonstrated his submission skills translate across weight classes while building momentum with back-to-back finishes.
Baatarkhuu returned to bantamweight at ONE Fight Night 29 in March to face fifth-ranked Jeremy Pacatiw. The Mongolian controlled all three rounds with grappling pressure, neutralizing Pacatiw's offense to earn a unanimous decision that cemented his fourth ranking and extended his perfect 5-0 record against Filipino fighters.
The victory positioned Baatarkhuu for his title opportunity against Andrade, who has held the bantamweight title since defeating John Lineker in 2023. Baatarkhuu's kimura submission has become a feared weapon throughout his rise, accounting for finishes against both Sangiao and Canarte while threatening numerous other opponents.
