Bibiano Fernandes

Bibiano Fernandes Da Silva Neto (born March 30, 1980) is a Brazilian 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).

A five time World jiu-jitsu champion and three time Pan American champion, Fernandes was considered the top light-featherweight of his generation before transitioning to mixed martial arts (MMA).

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.

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.

At the age of 13, Bibiano was introduced to BJJ, but coming from a poor family he was unable to pay for 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."

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.

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.

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.

In June 2012 it was announced that Fernandes had signed with ONE Championship 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 Bantamweight Championship.

Most ONE Championship successful title defences: Bibiano Fernandes (BRA) recorded his eighth defence of the ONE Championship bantamweight title on 13 Oct 2019.

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.

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.