Bibiano Fernandes

MMA career

During a difficult childhood, Bibiano was unable to pay for BJJ training. His instructor said he‘d continue to train him, as long as he cleaned the gym after the class. 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. 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. After losing to Faber and Yamamoto, Fernandes won four consecutive fights before entering into the DREAM Featherweight Grand Prix.

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. 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. 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.

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 Bibiano has signed with the UFC and was briefly linked to a bout against Roland Delorme on July 21, 2012 at UFC 149. However, the UFC claimed Fernandes pulled out of the bout, citing an injury. Bibiano subsequently clarified that he had been in negotiations with the UFC, but a contract was never signed.

ONE Championship

It was announced that Fernandes had signed with ONE instead of the UFC.

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

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

Fernandes next fought at ONE FC 11: Total Domination against Soo Chul Kim to unify the ONE Bantamweight Championship. He via unanimous decision.

Fernandes headlined ONE Fighting Championship: Rise of Heroes on May 2, 2014 against Masakatsu Ueda. 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.

In his fourth title defense, Fernandes faced Kevin Belingon at ONE Championship: Dynasty of Champions on January 23, 2016. He successfully defending 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.

Mixed martial arts

Submission grappling