Fabricio Andrade has been sidelined by injury since his last ONE Championship outing, but he is eager to get back to work.

“Wonder Boy” failed in his attempt to add the vacant ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Title to his MMA crown when he took on divisional Muay Thai king Jonathan Haggerty at the main event of ONE Fight Night 16 last November, and he later revealed that he had been suffering from some lingering pain in his back in the weeks leading up to the match.

Fabricio Andrade gives an update on his health after Haggerty’s fight

Now months removed from that defeat, Andrade shared that though he wants to get back to fighting as soon as possible, he knows he can’t make any hasty moves, given his position as ONE Bantamweight MMA World Champion.

“Even though ONE Championship has been very patient or they hadn’t pressured me or anything. But I’m putting a lot of pressure on myself to get back in there and defend my World Title,” he said in an interview.

“For me, if given a choice, I’d want to fight tomorrow if possible. But I have to understand that I need to be healthy, I need to be strong. Because I’m in a position where I cannot make mistakes anymore.”

Andrade won six of his first seven fights in ONE Championship, with five victories coming by finish. Before meeting Haggerty, the only blemish on his slate was a no-contest ruling in his first meeting with former bantamweight MMA king John Lineker.

Also Read: “I Couldn’t Do It Without Her” – Jonathan Haggerty Credits His Girlfriend for Pushing Him to Be at His Best While Away From Home

Andrade talks about possible return to action

Fabricio Andrade’s body of work has vaulted him into a must-watch star in ONE, and fans are waiting for his return with bated breath. The bantamweight MMA king knows this, and he offers a date he is targeting for his next fight.

“As things are going now, I’m finally seeing a bit of light. Things are going well. I’m slowly getting back into training, and if everything goes well, I hope to be fighting at the end of May or the beginning of June. That would be perfect for me. And I hope I can make that work for sure,” Andrade said.

When do you think the ONE MMA champion will return? And who do you think Fabricio Andrade will make his return against? Let us know in the comments section below.

Also Read: Felipe Lobo Can “Knockout” Jonathan Haggerty; Fabricio Andrade Talks Teammate’s Chances at ONE Fight Night 19