"We are on different levels" - Fabricio Andrade on Kwon Won Il ahead of their ONE 158 clash
In a recent interview with Sportskeeda MMA, Andrade told Dylan Bowker what he thought about his Korean opponent going into the June 3 bout.
"He’s a good striker, you know, but I think we are at different levels. Especially talking about strikes. I think I’m a smarter fighter, it’s not just about to throw hands and kick. It’s how to throw, when to throw, as the difference in this fight is gonna be my fighting IQ."
Catch our interview with Andrade below:
Andrade is feeling confident and ready for this clash Kwon (11-3-0). As one of the best strikers in the bantamweight division, the Korean 'Pretty Boy' has multiple knockouts in his MMA career. But Andrade doesn't seem impressed.
The Brazilian fighter believes that the reason why Kwon has been so successful is because he hasn't had any difficult opponents in his last few fights.
The 24 year-old said:
"Also if you see our opponents, I think he got a bit more easier opponents on his last fight, so I’m looking forward to just prove that there’s a different level you know, and I don’t believe that his strike is on the same level as mine, if we think like I can put him down on the ground anytime and finish the fight on the ground as well."
By The Numbers: Kwon Won Il vs. Fabricio Andrade
Fabricio Andrade – “John Lineker’s the guy I want to fight [next]”
Fabricio Andrade (7-2) has a tough test ahead of him on Friday when he meets Won Il Kwon (11-3) at ONE: 158 in Singapore.
Despite the lack in trash talk between the two competitors, Andrade will aim to dismantle his opponent quickly and move on to the next fight that will catapult him into title contention. Or, Andrade will look to go straight to the title.
“[Kwon Won Il] is a nice guy, he’s very respectful,” Andrade said. “But he’s in front of me now. He’s in my way, I’m going to take him out.”
If Andrade can get past the South Korean this weekend, he already has another name on his radar. That man too is no easy test, as John “Hands of Stone” Lineker is the reigning champion, as he just recently defeated Bibiano Fernandes for the title.
“After I knock Kwon out, people are going to see the difference in our levels. I’ve told everybody that I’m a level above these guys. When I finish him, it’s going to be another statement. And John Lineker’s the guy I want to fight [next].”
Main Card For ONE 158: Tawanchai vs. Larsen
Lead Card For ONE 158: Tawanchai vs. Larsen
Five Potential Cannot-Miss MMA Fights At ONE 158
KEY POINTS
- ONE 158 is set to feature some high-stakes MMA matchups throughout the card
- Fabricio Andrade and Kwon Won Il are primed for a title eliminator during the event
- Adrian Mattheis and Alex Silva will run it back in the biggest fight of the lead card
ONE 158 is set to feature 13 fights this coming Friday, June 3 if all things go according to plan, and five mixed martial arts (MMA) fights may just have enough potential to steal the show from the headlining matchup of ONE Muay Thai featherweights Tawanchai PK. Saenchai and Niclas Larsen.
Kwon Won Il vs. Fabricio Andrade
The co-main event of ONE 158 will see a possible knockout showcase in the form of bantamweight contenders Kwon Won Il and Fabricio Andrade.
Both men have been drumming up hype for their respective careers as they are coming off stellar knockout victories against Filipinos Kevin Belingon and Jeremy Pacatiw respectively.
Other than a performance bonus awaiting the winner of this highly-anticipated matchup, whoever comes out on top may also find himself on a date with newly-crowned bantamweight king John Lineker.
No. 2-ranked Kwon’s combination of striking power and speed will clash with the precision and accuracy of the No. 4-seeded Andrade as both men vie for a shot at the title since a Lineker–Bibiano Fernandes rematch may be unlikely to happen.
Reece McLaren vs. Xie Wei
In the flyweight division, Australia’s Reece McLaren is going to want to come out victorious against a young and hungry Xie Wei.
With a ONE record of 7-5, McLaren has the chance to showcase his submission arsenal against the knockout artist in Xie.
The ONE Warrior Series product is currently one of the hottest fighters in his division after winning his last three fights by knockout and is on track to go after his fourth against McLare
Kairat Akhmetov vs. Tatsumitsu Wada
No. 2-ranked flyweight Kairat Akhmetov will be taking on Japan’s Tatsumitsu Wada in which a win for the former could put him in prime position for a title shot in the near future.
Akhmetov has steamrolled his past four opponents, including Team Lakay stalwart Danny Kingad and respected grappler McLaren, and has put himself in the conversation for a shot at Adriano Moraes’ flyweight title.
As for Wada, he will be looking to regain his footing within the promotion after having a 5-4 record, the most recent being a unanimous decision win over China’s Wang Shuo.
With Akhmetov’s wrestling skills being put to the test by Wada’s versatile striking, this fight certainly has potential to steal the show early on in the card.
Alex Silva vs. Adrian Mattheis
ONE veteran Alex Silva gets a chance to rectify his most recent loss against Adrian Mattheis when the two square up in the headlining fight of the lead card for ONE 158.
“The Papua Bad Boy” pulled off one of the upsets of the night at ONE: Lights Out last March 11 when he put his MMA idol to sleep within the first five seconds of the second round.
Silva felt like the referee’s stoppage was premature and now the pair get to square off again at ONE 158.
The win netted Mattheis the biggest victory of his career and will look to repeat the feat, further showing his improved striking game since he first entered the organization in August 2016.
Jenelyn Olsim vs. Julie Mezabarba
The Philippines’ Jenelyn Olsim will have her shot at redemption as she takes on fellow ONE Women’s Atomweight World Grand Prix participant Julie Mezabarba.
Olsim saw her opportunity get snuffed out by Ritu Phogat, while Mezabarba was taken out by eventual tournament winner Stamp Fairtex in the semifinals.
For both women, getting the win this coming Friday, June 3 is going to be of massive importance as they look to make the climb back to possible contender status.
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