Mongolian bantamweight powerhouse Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu has risen through the ranks in electric fashion en route to his first World Title shot. On Friday, 5 December, live in U.S. primetime from Bangkok,
Thailand, the #4-ranked contender will challenge reigning and undisputed ONE Bantamweight MMA World Champion Fabricio "Wonder Boy" Andrade.
Baatarkhuu earned his sacred spot in ONE Championship by winning Road to ONE: Mongolia tournament in December 2022, claiming the coveted US$100,000 contract with a walk-off knockout during that time.
He made his promotional debut at ONE Friday Fights 13 in April 2023, showcasing relentless pressure whilst earning a unanimous decision victory over Team Lakay standout Adonis Sevilleno. It wouldn't be his last victory over a Filipino.
Just one month later at ONE Friday Fights 17, he dominated Rockie Bactol with diverse striking before finishing the Filipino off with punishing ground-and-pound to score a first-round technical knockout.
Not long after, Baatarkhuu delivered his biggest statement yet at ONE Fight Night 13 against previously undefeated phenom Jhanlo Mark "The Machine" Sangiao. Despite being dropped twice in the first round, Baatarkhuu rallied to rock the Team Lakay prodigy before securing a second-round kimura submission, earning a US$50,000 performance bonus.
With momentum building, Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu faced highly regarded opponent Artem Belakh at ONE Fight Night 18 in January 2024, a pivotal clash that could have vaulted him into the top five.
The Mongolian star controlled the action for nearly 10 minutes with suffocating top pressure, seemingly on his way to another dominant victory. But Belakh broke free and clocked Baatarkhuu's chin with a jumping knee, then unleashed a barrage of elbows and punches to secure a technical knockout win.
Determined to redeem himself, Baatarkhuu returned hungry at ONE Fight Night 24 against unbeaten Carlo "The Bull" Bumina-ang, dragging the Filipino through three brutal rounds to score a surprise finish.
With one second remaining in the final round, Baatarkhuu locked up an arm-triangle choke and rendered Bumina-ang unconscious at the 4:59 mark, becoming the first man to finish "The Bull. "
Fresh off his last-second heroics, Baatarkhuu moved up to featherweight to face Aaron "Tommy Gun" Canarte at ONE Fight Night 27 this past January. After wobbling the Ecuadorian with crisp striking, Baatarkhuu secured a takedown and transitioned to his signature kimura, forcing the tap midway through the opening frame.
After his featherweight detour, Baatarkhuu returned to the bantamweight division he dominated at ONE Fight Night 29 this past March, defeating #5-ranked Filipino Jeremy "The Juggernaut" Pacatiw via unanimous decision.
On 5 December, Baatarkhuu will get his chance to complete the journey. The 36-year-old is just one victory away from following in the footsteps of mentor Narantungalag Jadambaa and etching his name in history as Mongolia's next ONE World Champion.
