Redemption tastes sweeter than debut dominance for Fabricio Andrey. The 25-year-old Brazilian submission specialist understands his perfect ONE Championship record will face its sternest examination when he welcomes fellow BJJ ace Joao Mendes in a featherweight submission grappling showdown.

The two will battle at ONE Fight Night 40 on Prime Video on February 13, 2026, broadcasting live from Bangkok’s legendary Lumpinee Stadium in U.S. primetime.

The all-Brazilian collision pits two elite grapplers whose parallel paths through jiu-jitsu’s most prestigious competitions created inevitable destiny toward this February clash. Andrey carries a 2-0 promotional record built on relentless pressure passing and explosive judo-based attacks that send opponents flying through powerful foot sweeps and trips, showcasing the fan-friendly style that made him must-watch competition long before joining ONE Championship.

His promotional debut at ONE Fight Night 30 this past April demonstrated those qualities against Ashley Williams, flowing between high-step and toreando passes with surgical precision while pressuring guards relentlessly across 10 minutes of pure action that earned unanimous decision victory. The Manaus native’s elite athleticism allows him to zoom past defensive structures with highlight-reel explosiveness, creating moments that separate technical excellence from transcendent entertainment.

Yet his sophomore appearance carried deeper meaning than simple dominance. Eduardo Granzotto had stunned Andrey with an upset victory in the gi at the IBJJF Worlds this past January, a setback that burned through training camps leading to their ONE Fight Night 36 rematch in October.

When the opportunity arrived for redemption, Andrey wasted no time erasing that memory with smothering top pressure that nearly secured armbar finish before earning another unanimous decision. The Alliance affiliate improved his professional record to 103-27 while proving temporary setbacks fuel rather than define championship trajectories.

Mendes brings credentials demanding respect from any opponent. The 28-year-old enters his ONE Championship debut fresh off capturing the 2025 IBJJF Black Belt World Championship in the featherweight division, adding another accomplishment to a resume built across years of elite competition on the IBJJF circuit.

His technical foundation was forged at Atos Jiu-Jitsu under legendary Andre Galvao, one of the sport’s most prestigious academies producing generation after generation of world-class grapplers. That pedigree shows through efficient guard passing, strategic pressure application, and tactical adaptability that makes him dangerous opponent regardless of position or situation.

The stylistic parallels between these Brazilians create fascinating intrigue for February’s collision. Both bring elite pressure passing, relentless submission attacks, and the tactical IQ to adapt on the fly when initial game plans meet resistance. Both understand that 10 minutes of submission grappling demands sustained aggression rather than cautious positioning, creating opportunities for highlight-reel finishes that separate competitors from champions.

Andrey’s perfect promotional record faces legitimate threat from Mendes’ world championship credentials, yet that danger represents exactly the kind of test separating contenders from elite-level competitors. A victory will extend his undefeated streak while proving he belongs among featherweight submission grappling’s most dangerous threats.

For Mendes, a statement-making debut performance against undefeated opposition would announce his arrival among ONE Championship’s elite grappling roster while establishing him as immediate contender for future opportunities against the division’s top competitors. February 13 determines whether Andrey’s momentum continues or Mendes begins building his own championship narrative.

READ MORE: Donald Trump Commends Jake Paul for “Great Courage” After Loss to Anthony Joshua

• Facebook
• Instagram
• X
• Google