Fabricio Andrade says capturing the ONE Bantamweight MMA World Championship transformed not only his career but also his personal growth and sense of purpose nearly three years into his title reign.
The 28-year-old Brazilian defends his gold against fourth-ranked Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu on Friday, December 5, at ONE Fight Night 38 in Bangkok. As he prepares for his second defense of the year, Andrade reflected on how winning the belt altered his mindset and allowed him to mature beyond the desperation that fueled his early career.
The Fortaleza native left home years ago with nothing, struggling through poverty in China without money or English language skills while promising himself he would never return worse than he departed. Those experiences created the drive that eventually propelled him to championship status, but success brought unexpected emotions that forced him to confront aspects of himself he wanted to change.
"Sometimes it's even hard to believe that everything came out right. It gets me a little bit emotional because it was very hard. Never give up on your dreams and keep working hard because it's going to pay off," Andrade said.
Becoming the fighter everyone wants to defeat revealed the importance of staying grounded. Andrade began focusing on stability rather than sheer ambition, recognizing that the chip on his shoulder needed to soften into something steadier. The internal transformation has been one of his biggest changes since capturing the belt.
"One of the things that had really changed in my mind was a bit of the ego. When I finally became champion and started to be more stable, I started to understand that what was in my head wasn't the things that I really should do," Andrade explained. "I don't need to treat anybody bad to prove that I'm better than anyone. Now I'm more of a good guy."
His life outside the Circle changed dramatically after reaching the bantamweight division's peak. The biggest shift involved taking care of the people he loves, including buying his mother a new home after years of fighting for survival. The ability to provide for his family created a sense of fulfillment that extended beyond athletic achievement.
"It was a dream, but I was able to make it happen for my family. You start to do good things, and you want to keep doing more and more. You get addicted to doing good things," Andrade stated.
Marriage brought another major transformation. Andrade credits his wife for grounding him and supporting him through the demanding rhythm of world-class competition. Finding a life partner who shared his values made him want to become better not just as a fighter but as a person who remains present and responsible.
"Now I need to become more mature, you know. I need to think more about the person, to work for both of us. I learn more about living with another person," Andrade said. "My relationship with my wife is also improving a lot as time goes. And every fight camp is also getting better and better. And now she understands me more, she supports me a lot. And she is really helpful for me. She definitely makes my life easier."
Despite achieving financial security and building a stable life, Andrade believes his story is only beginning. The success didn't erase the hardships but made them more meaningful. When reflecting on everything he has built, the achievement he cherishes most involves becoming someone he's proud to be rather than accumulating wealth or fame.
"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," Andrade declared.
His memories of growing up on the hard streets of Fortaleza drive him to use his platform to show others that change is possible through dedication. Andrade remembers when nobody believed in him and opportunities seemed impossible, experiences that now fuel his desire to inspire the next generation.
"I want my story to inspire them. I know a lot of people, I still have contact with a lot of people from where I grew, and I know how difficult it is when nobody believes in you, when you don't have support, even from people around you. It's very difficult," Andrade said. "So with my history, with what I have done, with what I went through, with all the difficult things that I have overcome, I think now I can use that to inspire other people to chase their dreams."
