Mongolian plays down Fabricio Andrade rematch, eyes two-division run and possible April move up to face Tang kai after shock bantamweight title win
PUBLISHED : 15 Dec 2025 at 18:27
Small
Medium
Large
first pic, please add caption_ Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu celebrates after winning the ONE Championship bantamweight MMA title
ONE Championship’s newly crowned bantamweight MMA world champ Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu has set his sights on becoming a two-division title holder, signalling his interest in a move up to featherweight and playing down the prospect of an immediate rematch with Fabricio Andrade.
Speaking to the Bangkok Post a week on from his stunning fourth-round submission of long-reigning champion Andrade at ONE Fight Night 38, the 36-year-old Mongolian made it clear he is more interested in fresh challenges than revisiting familiar ground.
“Personally, I’m not that interested in fighting the person I beat over and over,” Enkh-Orgil said. “I think it’s kind of boring for the audience. I also have other plans.”
Those plans centre on a long-held ambition shared by many of ONE Championship’s elite – holding titles in multiple weight classes.
“Every MMA athlete has this dream to become a two-division champion,” he said. “Christian Lee has two weight division titles – why can’t I do that too? Even Anatoly Malykhin has belts in three divisions. I’m the same. I also want to become featherweight champion.”
Referee Olivier Coste raises Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu_s arm at Lumpinee Stadium after the ONE Fight Night 38 main event
Having put on a fight of the year contender with Andrade at Lumpinee Stadium, Enkh-Orgil said he would welcome the opportunity to challenge for the featherweight MMA belt if ONE Championship presents it.
“If ONE gives me an opportunity, I’m really confident I can give them a great title fight at featherweight,” he said. “Why not, right?”
The Mongolian briefly moved up to 155lbs in January, submitting Aaron Canarte in the first round, and is confident he could do similar to the current champion, Tang Kai of China – hinting at timing that could align with ONE’s upcoming calendar.
“Why not do the featherweight title fight in April next year?” he said. “That would be great.”
ONE Championship is set to kick off the second quarter of 2026 with two major numbered events: ONE 174 on April 3, at a location yet to be announced, and ONE 175 at Ariake Arena in Tokyo on April 29.
Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu looks to lock up a rear-naked choke on Fabricio Andrade at ONE Fight Night 38
And while Enkh-Orgil did not rule out defending his bantamweight belt in Mongolia should ONE bring an event to Ulaanbaatar, he stressed his personal focus remains on progression rather than repetition.
“Of course, if ONE organised a title defence back in Mongolia, it would be great,” he said. “But for me, I want new challenges.”
Now a world champion, Enkh-Orgil insists his ambition has only grown.
“I’m good to go,” he said. “Let’s go for the featherweight world title.”