Hard Focus on Joao Andrade

Fighter profile of Joao Andrade by Outlaw Bleak

Not many elite fighters arise from Portugal in the world of MMA. There are some exceptions, and there are some who represent the country with pride and are trying to put Portugal on the map. Hailing from Coimbra, Joao Andrade is one such fighter.

As a young scrapper fighting in the streets, Andrade was discovered by legendary manager Jake Fury who took a shine to the kid and brought him into camp Fury. He learned quickly, honing his skills and becoming a striking machine. Under the tutelage of Fury, after a sparring loss in the QFC, Andrade went on a tear within the Madness organization and rode a 7 fight winning streak to the belt with a win over Mohammed Kahn. In fact, the only fighter in the world to have defeated Khan. Unfortunately, Andrade later defended the belt against Kahn in a draw, and then the 3rd time around Kahn finally go the win taking the belt in the final fight Andrade would fight at Madness.

Andrade then joined the HFC in part of a merger in which he lost his debut fight against Aatreya Mahrishi, at which time Jake Fury decided to part ways with Andrade. Andrade took some time off but eventually joined the free agent pool where he was picked up by another legendary manager in Prince Mitchell.

Andrade then won three strait fights and entered the 4 man tournament to crown the new champ of the HFC light heavyweight division where he fell short in a surprising KO victory for Ko Van Den Born that left Andrade wheeling. He attempted to bounce back in his next fight, instead falling to Maxim Jahouli.

With the second two fight losing streak in his career, Andrade and Mitchell parted ways. Having contemplated retirement, Andrade decided he wasn't done. He had trained far too damned long and he was going against the best fighters in the world and competing at a high level. His journey is not done, so he signed on with J.W. Hardman and will be looking to bounce back with a win to set thing strait.

A little warm up fight with Boaler to get back into the swing of things and see where he falls into the rankings to start his journey to the top. Andrade has been toying with the idea of fighting at two divisions, as he can make weight at 185 as well as 205. For now, however, he will look to regain his footing at 205 and work his way back up into contendership.

Joao has signed on to Hard Focus who will now follow him on his journey in HFC from a Star and former champ who fell from glory to the hopeful rebound fighter of the year. Stay tuned in for the next chapter in Andrade's journey after his bout with Jonathan Boaler on the 19th of December, in New York City.

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