"Doesn't matter who the opponent is" - Fabricio Andrade excited to do what he does best after injury-plagued 2024

ONE bantamweight MMA world champion Fabricio Andrade is raring to restart his career after spending the entirety of the past year on the sidelines to recover from nagging injuries that have bothered him since 2023.

Speaking exclusively with Sportskeeda MMA about his plans, 'Wonder Boy' had this to say:

"To be very honest, I'm excited to step back inside the Circle again. It's been quite a while since I fought, and I'm really thrilled to be back in the Circle - doesn't matter who the opponent is - but I'm happy to be up and running."

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ONE fans last saw the 27-year-old attempt to become a two-sport ONE world champion when he fought then-reigning bantamweight Muay Thai king Jonathan Haggerty over the vacant 145-pound kickboxing crown in November 2023. Andrade ultimately succumbed to his knockout power in the second round.

Since then, Andrade has focused on returning to form while also spending time with his loved ones before he returns to the circle, which happens in just a few days.

The Brazilian knockout artist will put the bantamweight MMA crown on the line against third-ranked 145-pound MMA competitor Kwon Won Il at ONE 170 on Friday, Jan. 24, inside the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand.

ONE 170 is available via watch.onefc.com.

Fabricio Andrade gives Kwon Won Il his flowers

Fabricio Andrade did not hesitate to praise Kwon Won Il's growth as a fighter, especially after the South Korean bounced back from his June 2022 knockout loss to Andrade with three straight TKO performances.

In a recent interview with ONE, Andrade highlighted his rival's June 2023 demolition of Artem Belakh at ONE Fight Night 11, saying:

"I saw an evolution in his jiu-jitsu and wrestling game. He faced a very good wrestler, Artem Belakh, and he managed to defend the takedowns and ended up knocking Artem out in the second round."