Fabricio Andrade Breaks Down the Upcoming Bantamweight Showdown Between Two Potential Challengers for His Title Kwon Won Il and Artem Belakh

A pivotal bantamweight MMA clash is set for ONE Fight Night 11: Eersel vs. Menshikov on Prime Video, and reigning divisional king Fabricio “Wonder Boy” Andrade is sure to be one of the millions of fans around the world tuning in live in North American primetime. On Friday, June 9, South Korean knockout artist Kwon Won II will square off with surging Russian standout Artem Belakh, live from the historic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

Fresh off his stunning World Title-winning victory over rival John Lineker in February at ONE Fight Night 7, Andrade is well aware that the showdown between the #4-ranked Kwon and the #5-ranked Belakh could be a glimpse at future challengers to his divisional crown.

Artem Belakh and Kwon Won II will trust their strengths

Indeed, both men come into the contest with heads full of steam. Revered for his crispy boxing combinations and shocking power, the man from Seoul known as “Pretty Boy” has won four of his last five and sports an absurd 100 percent finishing rate against the elite of the elite in ONE.

Belakh, meanwhile, has already made a statement just one fight into his ONE career. Last October, at ONE 162, the 27-year-old employed a devastating blend of wrestling and explosive striking to secure a dominant decision win over former ONE Bantamweight World Title challenger Leandro Issa, announcing his presence in a big way.

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Andrade says he’s looking forward to this Friday’s battle and believes it will play out like a classic striker-versus-grappler matchup, “I believe it will be a good fight. The result will depend on who manages to put their game into practice first. I believe that Artem Belakh will try to put the fight down, and Kwon Won Ill will try to keep the fight standing.”

Fabricio Andrade thinks the application of skills will be an important factor

The key for each athlete, Andrade says, will be sticking to a game plan and creating a fight that favors his individual skillset. For the South Korean, that means avoiding takedowns and dictating the action on the feet with his top-tier stand-up game. Conversely, the Russian must bring the fight to the canvas where he can implement his smothering grappling attack and land massive ground strikes.

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Andrade explained, “Everything will depend on who will be able to impose their game. If the fight goes to the ground, Artem will have the advantage. But if Kwon avoids Artem’s takedowns and keeps the fight standing, he will have the advantage.”