Bibiano Fernandes

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Bibiano Fernandes
Bibiano Fernandes.jpg
Fernandes with his DREAM Featherweight Grand Prix championship belt, 2010
BornBibiano Fernandes da Silva Neto
(1980-03-30) March 30, 1980 (age 44) [1]
Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil [2]
Other namesThe Flash
Nationality Brazilian & Canadian
Height5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)
Weight875 lb (397 kg; 62.5 st)
Division Bantamweight
Featherweight
Reach67.5 in (171 cm)
Style Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Pankration
Fighting out of Langley, Canada
TeamFlash Academy BJJ, in Canadá
TrainerFaustino Neto, Osvaldo Alves
Rank1st degree white belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Oswaldo Alves [3]
Years active2004–2025
Mixed martial arts record
Total31
Wins25
By knockout2
By submission9
By decision13
By disqualification1
Losses6
By knockout2
By decision4
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
Medal record
Representing Flag of Brazil.svg  Brazil
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Pan American
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2004 California, USA -64 kg
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2005 California, USA -64 kg
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2006 Los Angeles, CA -64 kg
Bronze medal icon (B initial).svg 2007 Carson, CA -64 kg
World Jiu-Jitsu Championship
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2003 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil -64 kg
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 2004 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil -64 kg
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2005 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil -64 kg
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2006 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil -64 kg

Bibiano Fernandes da Silva Neto (born March 30, 1980) is a Brazilian former professional mixed martial artist and black belt Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) practitioner. He fought in ONE Championship, where he is a former two-time ONE Bantamweight Champion and holds the record for most title fight wins (11) and is tied for most consecutive title defenses (7).

Contents

A five time World jiu-jitsu champion [a] and three time Pan American champion, Fernandes was considered the top light-featherweight of his generation before transitioning to mixed martial arts (MMA). [4] He previously competed for K-1, DREAM, and King of the Cage. Fernandes is also a former DREAM Featherweight Champion and DREAM Bantamweight Champion. He was once ranked as the #5 bantamweight in the world by MMA Weekly. [5]

Background

Fernandes was born in Manaus and grew up in a neighborhood called Coroado with his family. Fernandes played soccer throughout his childhood. Bibiano Fernandes' mother fell ill and eventually passed away when he was seven years old. His father, Inacio, didn't want to raise the children, so Bibiano and his siblings were sent to live with their aunt in the Amazon rainforest, by the Ituxi River. However, Bibiano caught malaria during their stay in the rainforest and his father was alerted to bring him back to Manaus for treatment. After returning to Manaus, Fernandes attended school for the first time in his life at the age of nine. [6]

Mixed martial arts career

At the age of 13, Bibiano was introduced to BJJ, but coming from a poor family he was unable to pay for training. [6] His instructor said he'd continue to train him, as long as he cleaned the gym after the class. [6] This gave Bibiano a profound respect and gratitude for the gym and what it taught. Bibiano says that he'd say to himself when he was a child: "Good job! You held your ground and believed what you believed."

Early career

Fernandes fought against world-class competition early in his MMA career. In his second professional fight, Fernandes lost due to a doctor's stoppage to Urijah Faber in a King of the Cage event in Nevada. [7] After dominating the first 2 minutes of the round, even taking Faber's back, he was reversed and received a barrage of elbows that opened up a deep cut on his forehead. Though the fight was officially ruled a doctor stoppage, it was actually stopped by the referee, due to the cut. In his very next fight, Fernandes lost to Norifumi "Kid" Yamamoto at a K-1 Hero's event in Japan. [8] After losing to Faber and Yamamoto, Fernandes won four consecutive fights before entering into the DREAM Featherweight Grand Prix. [2]

DREAM

Bibiano defeated Joe Warren and Hiroyuki Takaya at DREAM 11 to win the DREAM Featherweight Grand Prix and become the first DREAM Featherweight Champion. [9] After defeating Warren by first round armbar, Fernandes' fight against Takaya was very close, and he won by split decision.

Fernandes fought former DREAM Lightweight Champion Joachim Hansen on March 22, 2010, at DREAM 13 for his first title defense. He won the match in a split decision. [10] At K-1 Dynamite!! 2010, Fernandes had a rematch with Takaya for the DREAM featherweight championship. Fernandes lost his title to Takaya via unanimous decision. [11]

Fernandes next faced Takafumi Otsuka at DREAM 17 in the quarterfinals of the bantamweight tournament. He won the fight via submission in the first round. At Fight For Japan: Genki Desu Ka Omisoka 2011, he defeated Rodolfo Marques via unanimous decision in the semifinal round. In the finals, Fernandes defeated Antonio Banuelos via TKO in the first round to win the Dream World Bantamweight Grand Prix and become the first ever DREAM Bantamweight champion.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

On June 4, 2012, it was announced that Fernandes had signed with the UFC and was briefly linked to a bout against Roland Delorme on July 21, 2012, at UFC 149. [12] However, the UFC claimed Fernandes pulled out of the bout, citing an injury. [13] Bibiano subsequently clarified that he had been in negotiations with the UFC, but a contract was never signed. [14]

ONE Championship

In June 2012 it was announced that Fernandes had signed with ONE Championship instead of the UFC. [15]

Fernandes made his debut for the promotion at ONE FC 5 against Gustavo Falciroli. [16] He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Interim ONE Bantamweight Championship

Fernandes next fight was at ONE FC 9: Rise to Power against Koetsu Okazaki for the Interim ONE Bantamweight Championship. He won via unanimous decision.

Undisputed ONE Bantamweight Championship

Fernandes next fought at ONE FC 11: Total Domination against Soo Chul Kim to unify the ONE Bantamweight Championship. [17] He won the bout via unanimous decision and became the undisputed champion. [18]

Fernandes headlined ONE Fighting Championship: Rise of Heroes on May 2, 2014, against Masakatsu Ueda. [19] He won via unanimous decision.

Bibiano faced Dae Hwan Kim at ONE Fighting Championship: Warrior's Way on December 5, 2014, once again successfully defending his world title by defeating Kim via rear-naked choke in the second round. [20]

In his fourth title defense, Fernandes faced Kevin Belingon at ONE Championship: Dynasty of Champions on January 23, 2016. He successfully defended his title, winning by kimura submission in the first round.

In his fifth title defense, Fernandes faced Reece McLaren at ONE Championship: Age of Domination on December 2, 2016. He won the fight by split decision.

On February 17, 2017, it was announced that Fernandes re-signed with ONE Championship. [21]

Title loss and second reign

Fernandes fought Kevin Belingon for the second time at ONE Championship 78: Heart of the Lion on November 9, 2018, in a title unification bout. He lost the fight via split decision. [22]

Fernandes faced Belingon in a trilogy match at ONE Championship: A New Era on March 30, 2019. [23] He won the bout via disqualification when he could not continue after Belingon landed an illegal elbow to the back of Fernandes's head, once again regaining the bantamweight title. [24]

Fernandes faced Belingon for the fourth time at ONE Championship: Century on October 13, 2019. [25] He won the fight via a rear-naked choke submission in the second round.

Fernandes was scheduled to face John Lineker at ONE: X on December 3, 2021. [26] However due to the pandemic, the event was postponed and the bout was moved to ONE: Bad Blood on February 11, 2022. [27] Lineker tested positive for COVID days before the event and the bout was pulled. [28] The bout was rescheduled for ONE: Lights Out on March 11, 2022. [29] Fernandes lost the title by second-round knockout. [30]

Fernandes faced Stephen Loman on November 19, 2022, at ONE on Prime Video 4. [31] At weigh-ins, the pair failed to make weight in the bantamweight division and agreed to compete in the 153.25 lbs catchweight. [32] He lost the fight via unanimous decision. [33]

On December 23, 2023, Fernandes announced that he was no longer under contract with ONE, also warning fighters to ‘think twice before you decide to go there’. [34]

Fernandes faced Kevin Belingon on February 20, 2025, at ONE 171. [35] Fernandes won the bout via split decision and announced his retirement from competition after the bout. [36]

Grappling career

Fernandes is a three-time IBJJF World Champion and three-time IBJJF Pan Champion.

Fernandes returned to Brazilian jiu-jitsu competition at the IBJJF Pan Championship 2024, in the Master 3 featherweight division. [37] He won a gold medal. [38]

Fernandes faced Urijah Faber in the main event of ADXC 5 on August 3, 2024. [39] He lost the match by decision. [40]

Also, he is an instructor of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, training and teaching former UFC Flyweight Champion, former ONE Flyweight World Champion, and ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix Champion, Demetrious Johnson, who is a black belt under Fernandes and Yan McCane, a Brazilian 3rd-degree BJJ [41] instructor and practitioner. The pair awarded Demetrious his first-degree black belt, in April of 2024. [42]

Personal life

Fernandes and his wife, Amanda, have three sons: Elijah, Gabriel and Lucas. [43]

Brazilian jiu-jitsu lineage

Mitsuyo "Count Koma" Maeda → Carlos Gracie, Sr. → Reyson Gracie → Osvaldo Alves → Faustino 'Pina' Neto → Bibiano Fernandes

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

Brazilian jiu-jitsu

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
30 matches24 wins6 losses
By knockout22
By submission90
By decision124
By disqualification10
Res.RecordOpponentMethodEventDateRoundTimeLocationNotes
Win25–6 Kevin Belingon Decision (split) ONE 171 February 20, 202535:00 Lusail, Qatar
Loss24–6 Stephen Loman Decision (unanimous) ONE on Prime Video 4 November 19, 202235:00 Kallang, SingaporeCatchweight (153.25 lb) bout; both fighters missed weight.
Loss24–5 John Lineker KO (punch) ONE: Lights Out March 11, 202223:40 Kallang, SingaporeLost the ONE Bantamweight Championship (145 lb).
Win24–4 Kevin Belingon Submission (rear-naked choke) ONE: Century – Part 2 October 13, 201922:16 Tokyo, JapanDefended the ONE Bantamweight Championship (145 lb).
Win23–4 Kevin Belingon DQ (illegal elbows) ONE: A New Era March 31, 201933:40 Tokyo, JapanWon the ONE Bantamweight Championship (145 lb). An illegal elbows to the back of the head rendered Fernandes unable to continue.
Loss22–4 Kevin Belingon Decision (split) ONE: Heart of the Lion November 9, 201855:00 Kallang, SingaporeLost the ONE Bantamweight Championship (145 lb.)
Win22–3 Martin Nguyen Decision (split) ONE: Iron Will March 24, 201855:00 Bangkok, ThailandDefended the ONE Bantamweight Championship (145 lb.)
Win21–3Andrew LeoneSubmission (rear-naked choke) ONE: Kings & Conquerors August 5, 201711:47 Macau, SAR, ChinaDefended the ONE Bantamweight Championship.
Win20–3Reece McLarenDecision (split) ONE: Age of Domination December 2, 201655:00 Pasay, PhilippinesDefended the ONE Bantamweight Championship.
Win19–3 Kevin Belingon Submission (kimura) ONE: Dynasty of Champions January 23, 201614:04 Changsha, ChinaDefended the ONE Bantamweight Championship.
Win18–3Toni TauruKO (punch) ONE: Kingdom of Warriors July 18, 201531:02 Yangon, MyanmarDefended the ONE Bantamweight Championship.
Win17–3Kim Dae-hwanSubmission (rear-naked choke) ONE FC: Warrior's Way December 5, 201421:16 Pasay, PhilippinesDefended the ONE Bantamweight Championship.
Win16–3 Masakatsu Ueda Decision (unanimous) ONE FC: Rise of Heroes May 2, 201455:00 Pasay, PhilippinesDefended the ONE Bantamweight Championship.
Win15–3Kim Soo-chulDecision (unanimous) ONE FC: Total Domination October 18, 201355:00 Kallang, SingaporeWon and unified the ONE Bantamweight Championship.
Win14–3 Koetsu Okazaki Decision (unanimous) ONE FC: Rise to Power May 31, 201355:00 Pasay, PhilippinesWon the interim ONE Bantamweight Championship.
Win13–3 Yoshiro Maeda Technical Submission (triangle choke) Dream 18 December 31, 201211:46 Tokyo, JapanNon-title bout.
Win12–3 Gustavo Falciroli Decision (unanimous) ONE FC: Pride of a Nation August 31, 201235:00 Quezon City, Philippines
Win11–3 Antonio Banuelos TKO (punches) Fight For Japan: Genki Desu Ka Omisoka 2011 December 31, 201111:21 Saitama, JapanWon the 2011 DREAM Bantamweight Grand Prix and the inaugural DREAM Bantamweight Championship.
Win10–3Rodolfo MarquesDecision (unanimous) Fight For Japan: Genki Desu Ka Omisoka 2011 December 31, 201125:00 Saitama, Japan2011 DREAM Bantamweight Grand Prix Semifinal.
Win9–3 Takafumi Otsuka Technical Submission (rear-naked choke) Dream 17 September 24, 201110:41 Saitama, JapanBantamweight debut. 2011 DREAM Bantamweight Grand Prix Quarterfinal.
Loss8–3 Hiroyuki Takaya Decision (unanimous) Dynamite!! 2010 December 31, 201035:00 Saitama, JapanLost the DREAM Featherweight Championship.
Win8–2 Joachim Hansen Decision (split) Dream 13 March 22, 201025:00 Yokohama, JapanDefended the DREAM Featherweight Championship.
Win7–2 Hiroyuki Takaya Decision (split) Dream 11 October 6, 200925:00 Yokohama, Japan2009 DREAM Featherweight Grand Prix and the inaugural DREAM Featherweight Championship.
Win6–2 Joe Warren Submission (armbar) Dream 11 October 6, 200910:42 Yokohama, Japan2009 DREAM Featherweight Grand Prix Semifinal.
Win5–2 Masakazu Imanari Decision (unanimous) Dream 9 May 26, 200925:00 Yokohama, Japan2009 DREAM Featherweight Grand Prix Quarterfinal.
Win4–2 Takafumi Otsuka Decision (unanimous) Dream 7 March 8, 200925:00 Saitama, JapanReturn to Featherweight. 2009 DREAM Featherweight Grand Prix Opening Round.
Win3–2Len TamSubmission (triangle choke)Raw Combat: RedemptionOctober 25, 200810:58 Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Win2–2Juan BarrantesDecision (unanimous)Raw Combat: ResurrectionJune 20, 200835:00 Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Loss1–2 Norifumi Yamamoto Decision (unanimous)Hero's 10September 17, 200735:00 Kanagawa, JapanLightweight debut.
Loss1–1 Urijah Faber TKO (punches) KOTC: All Stars October 28, 200614:16 Reno, Nevada, United StatesFor the KOTC Bantamweight Championship (145 lb).
Win1–0Luis FigueroaSubmission (rear-naked choke) Jungle Fight 3 October 23, 200410:31 Manaus, BrazilFeatherweight debut.

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ in black and coloured belts

References

  1. ↑ "K-1 World GP". Archived from the original on May 27, 2009. Retrieved March 28, 2009.
  2. 1 2 "Bibiano". Sherdog.com. Retrieved 2016-06-14.
  3. ↑ Marcelo Alonso (February 8, 2022). "Bibiano Fernandes: If John Lineker Doesn't Knock Me Out, I'll Submit Him". Sherdog .
  4. ↑ "Bibiano Fernandes". BJJ Heroes - Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Team History, Fighter Stats, Biographies and News. 2010-05-16.
  5. ↑ "Bantamweight MMA Top 10 (135-pound limit)". Mmaweekly.com. March 11, 2014. Retrieved 2016-06-14.
  6. 1 2 3 Guilherme Cruz (August 4, 2017). "Bibiano Fernandes' rise from the Amazon rainforest". mmafighting.com.
  7. ↑ "KOTC - All Stars". Sherdog.com. Retrieved 2016-06-14.
  8. ↑ "K-1 HERO's - Tournament Final". Sherdog.com. Retrieved 2016-06-14.
  9. ↑ "Dream 11 - Featherweight Grand Prix 2009 Final". Sherdog.com. Retrieved 2016-06-14.
  10. ↑ "Fernandes Wins Split Decision Over Hansen". Sherdog.com. Retrieved 2016-06-14.
  11. ↑ "Takaya Takes Dream Title; Overeem Destroys Duffee at 'Dynamite!'". Sherdog.com. Retrieved 2016-06-14.
  12. ↑ Mike Chiappetta (4 June 2012). "Bibiano Fernandes Signs With UFC, Makes Debut at UFC 149". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 4 June 2012.
  13. ↑ "Newly signed Bibiano Fernandes injured, out of UFC 149 in Calgary". Mmajunkie.com. Archived from the original on 15 June 2012. Retrieved 12 June 2012.
  14. ↑ Matt Erickson (June 12, 2012). "Bibiano Fernandes says he negotiated with UFC, but never signed to fight at UFC 149". MMAjunkie.com .
  15. ↑ Anton Tabuena (June 26, 2012). "After Failed UFC Negotiations, Bibiano Fernandes Signs With ONE FC". bloodyelbow.com.
  16. ↑ Anton Tabuena (July 18, 2012). "Asian MMA: Bibiano Fernandes Vs. Gustavo Falciroli Announced For ONE FC 5 In Manila". bloodyelbow.com.
  17. ↑ "Champs Bibiano Fernandes vs. Soo Chul Kim heads 'ONE FC 11: Total Domination'". MMAjunkie.com . August 13, 2013. Retrieved March 5, 2022.
  18. ↑ "ONE FC 11 results: Shinya Aoki and Bibiano Fernandes victorious at 'Total Domination' in Singapore". mmamania.com. October 18, 2013.
  19. ↑ "Canadian Rumour Mill - March 11, 2014 | Top MMA News at". Topmmanews.com. 2014-03-13. Retrieved 2016-06-14.
  20. ↑ "Bibiano Fernandes Defeats Dae Hwan Kim And Retains One Fc Bantamweight World Championship". Philboxing.com. 2014-12-06. Retrieved 2016-06-14.
  21. ↑ Guilherme Cruz (February 17, 2017). "Bibiano Fernandes re-signs with ONE Championship". mmafighting.com.
  22. ↑ Santino Honasan (November 9, 2018). "Kevin Belingon defeats Bibiano Fernandes to become Undisputed ONE Bantamweight World Champion". sports.abs-cbn.com.
  23. ↑ Guilherme Cruz (January 27, 2019). "ONE adds fourth title fight to Japan debut with Kevin Belingon vs. Bibiano Fernandes trilogy". mmafighting.com.
  24. ↑ Lee, Alexander K. (2019-03-31). "ONE Championship: A New Era results: Shinya Aoki chokes out Eduard Folayang to win title, Xiong Jing Nan stops Angela Lee". MMA Fighting and Best Actor Oscars 2019. Retrieved 2019-04-01.
  25. ↑ Alexander K. Lee (June 30, 2019). "Angela Lee, Aung La Nsang, Bibiano Fernandes title fights announced for ONE Championship's 100th show". mmafighting.com.
  26. ↑ "Demetrious Johnson returns Dec. 5 for special rules bout vs. muay Thai champ Rodtang Jitmuangnon". MMA Junkie. 2021-09-15. Retrieved 2021-09-15.
  27. ↑ Lee, Alexander K. (2022-01-12). "Bibiano Fernandes vs. John Lineker ONE Championship title fight rescheduled for Feb. 11". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2022-01-12.
  28. ↑ Cruz, Guilherme (2022-02-09). "John Lineker tests positive for COVID, Bibiano Fernandes title fight off Friday's ONE". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2022-02-09.
  29. ↑ Cruz, Guilherme (2022-02-14). "Bibiano Fernandes vs. John Lineker re-booked for ONE: Lights Out in March". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2022-02-14.
  30. ↑ Anderson, Jay (2022-03-11). "ONE: Lights Out Sees John Lineker Stop Bibiano Fernandes to Claim Bantamweight Title". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2022-03-11.
  31. ↑ Vince Richard (2022-10-21). "Stephen Loman set to face Bibiano Fernandes at ONE on Prime Video 4". sportskeeda.com. Retrieved 2022-10-21.
  32. ↑ Tom Taylor and Nicolas Atkin (2022-11-17). "ONE Championship on Prime Video 4 weigh-in results: Kiamrian Abbasov loses title on the scale". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 2022-11-17.
  33. ↑ Craig Pekios (2022-11-19). "ONE on Prime Video 4: Stephen Loman dominates former world champion Bibiano Fernandes". sportskeeda.com. Retrieved 2022-11-19.
  34. ↑ Cruz, Guilherme (2023-12-23). "Bibiano Fernandes parts ways with ONE Championship, advises fighters to 'think twice before you decide to go there'". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2023-12-23.
  35. ↑ "Roberto Soldic vs. Dagi Arslanaliev, Bibiano Fernandes vs. Kevin Belingon 5 added to ONE 171". MMA Junkie. 2024-12-16. Retrieved 2025-01-14.
  36. ↑ Icasiano, Nissi (2025-02-21). "Kevin Belingon falls short to Bibiano Fernandes again at ONE 171". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved 2025-02-25.
  37. ↑ de Souza, Diogo (8 March 2024). "Bibiano Fernandes Returns To BJJ Competition At IBJJF Pan Championship 2024". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 8 March 2024.
  38. ↑ "IBJJF Pan Championship 2024 Results". IBJJF DB. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
  39. ↑ "Stacked Card Finalised For ADXC 5". Jitsmagazine. 16 July 2024. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
  40. ↑ "ADXC 5 Full Results And Review". Jitsmagazine. 3 August 2024. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
  41. ↑ "Yan McCane". GRPL Club Jiu Jitsu Brasilero. 21 December 2024. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
  42. ↑ "Former UFC Champion Demetrious Johnson Promoted to BJJ Black Belt". ELITESPORTS. 30 April 2024. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
  43. ↑ "Love And Family Inspired Bibiano Fernandes To Historic Success". onefc.com. March 20, 2018.
  44. ↑ "Sherdog.com's 2011 All-Violence Team - Second Team". Sherdog.com. Retrieved 2016-06-14.
New championship 1st Dream Featherweight Champion
October 6, 2009 - December 31, 2010		Succeeded by
New championship 1st Dream Bantamweight Champion
December 31, 2011 - Present
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