| Bibiano Fernandes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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 Fernandes with his DREAM Featherweight Grand Prix championship belt, 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | Bibiano Fernandes da Silva Neto (1980-03-30)March 30, 1980 (age 45)[1] Manaus,Amazonas, Brazil[2] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other names | The Flash | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nationality | Brazilian &Canadian | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 145 lb (66 kg; 10.4 st) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Division | Bantamweight Featherweight | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reach | 67.5 in (171 cm) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Style | Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu,Pankration | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fighting out of | Langley, Canada | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Team | Flash Academy BJJ, in Canadá | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Trainer | Faustino Neto, Osvaldo Alves | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rank | 1st degree black belt inBrazilian Jiu-Jitsuunder Oswaldo Alves[3] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years active | 2004–2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mixed martial arts record | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 31 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wins | 25 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| By knockout | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| By submission | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| By decision | 13 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| By disqualification | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Losses | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| By knockout | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| By decision | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mixed martial arts record fromSherdog | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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Bibiano Fernandes da Silva Neto (born March 30, 1980) is a Brazilian-Canadian former professionalmixed martial artist and black beltBrazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) practitioner. A professional from 2004 to 2025, he most notably competed in theBantamweight division ofONE Championship, where he was the two-time and longest reigningONE Bantamweight MMA World Champion, along with being theinterim ONE FC Bantamweight Champion in2013. He formerly competed in theBantamweight andFeatherweight divisions ofDREAM, where he was the inaugural and lastDREAM Bantamweight Champion, and the inauguralDREAM Featherweight Champion. He also won theDREAM 2009 Featherweight Grand Prix, and theDREAM 2011 Bantamweight World Grand Prix, and wasDREAM’s second two-weight champion.
A five timeWorld jiu-jitsu champion[a] and three timePan American champion, Fernandes was considered the top light-featherweight of his generation before transitioning to mixed martial arts (MMA).[4] He previously competed forK-1,DREAM, andKing of the Cage. Fernandes is also a formerDREAM Featherweight Champion andDREAM Bantamweight Champion. He was once ranked as the #5 bantamweight in the world byMMA Weekly.[5]
Fernandes was born inManaus and grew up in a neighborhood called Coroado with his family. Fernandes playedsoccer throughout his childhood. Bibiano Fernandes' mother fell ill and eventually died 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 theItuxi River. However, Bibiano caughtmalaria 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]
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."
Fernandes fought against world-class competition early in his MMA career. In his second professional fight, Fernandes lost due to a doctor's stoppage toUrijah Faber in a King of the Cage event inNevada.[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 toNorifumi "Kid" Yamamoto at aK-1 Hero's event inJapan.[8] After losing to Faber and Yamamoto, Fernandes won four consecutive fights before entering into the DREAM Featherweight Grand Prix.[2]
Bibiano defeatedJoe Warren andHiroyuki Takaya atDREAM 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 ChampionJoachim Hansen on March 22, 2010, atDREAM 13 for his first title defense. He won the match in a split decision.[10] At K-1Dynamite!! 2010, Fernandes had a rematch with Takaya for the DREAM featherweight championship. Fernandes lost his title to Takaya via unanimous decision.[11]
Fernandes next facedTakafumi Otsuka atDREAM 17 in the quarterfinals of the bantamweight tournament. He won the fight via submission in the first round. AtFight For Japan: Genki Desu Ka Omisoka 2011, he defeated Rodolfo Marques via unanimous decision in the semifinal round. In the finals, Fernandes defeatedAntonio 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 againstRoland Delorme on July 21, 2012, atUFC 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]
In June 2012 it was announced that Fernandes had signed withONE Championship instead of the UFC.[15]
Fernandes made his debut for the promotion atONE FC 5 againstGustavo Falciroli.[16] He won the fight via unanimous decision.
Fernandes next fight was atONE FC 9: Rise to Power againstKoetsu Okazaki for theInterim ONE Bantamweight Championship. He won via unanimous decision.
Fernandes next fought atONE FC 11: Total Domination against Soo Chul Kim to unify theONE Bantamweight Championship.[17] He won the bout via unanimous decision and became the undisputed champion.[18]
Fernandes headlinedONE Fighting Championship: Rise of Heroes on May 2, 2014, againstMasakatsu Ueda.[19] He won via unanimous decision.
Bibiano faced Dae Hwan Kim atONE 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 facedKevin Belingon atONE 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 atONE 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 withONE Championship.[21]
Fernandes foughtKevin Belingon for the second time atONE 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 atONE 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 atONE 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 faceJohn Lineker atONE: X on December 3, 2021.[26] However due to the pandemic, the event was postponed and the bout was moved toONE: 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 forONE: Lights Out on March 11, 2022.[29] Fernandes lost the title by second-round knockout.[30]
Fernandes facedStephen Loman on November 19, 2022, atONE 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 facedKevin Belingon on February 20, 2025, atONE 171.[35] Fernandes won the bout via split decision and announced his retirement from competition after the bout.[36]
After Bibiano’s retirement atONE 171, it was announced on February 21st, the day after his retirement, that he was going to be the second inductee to theONE Hall of Fame.[37] On March 23, 2025, the day whenONE 171 went on air, Bibiano was inducted into theONE Hall of Fame byChatri Sityodtong, the co-founder,chairman, andCEO ofONE Championship.[38]
Fernandes is a three-timeIBJJF World Champion and three-timeIBJJF Pan Champion.
Fernandes returned toBrazilian jiu-jitsu competition at theIBJJF Pan Championship 2024, in the Master 3 featherweight division.[39] He won a gold medal.[40]
Fernandes facedUrijah Faber in the main event of ADXC 5 on August 3, 2024.[41] He lost the match by decision.[42]
Also, he is an instructor of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, training and teaching formerUFC Flyweight Champion, formerONE Flyweight World Champion, andONE Flyweight World Grand Prix Champion,Demetrious Johnson, who is a black belt under Fernandes and Yan McCane, a Brazilian 3rd-degreeBJJ[43] instructor and practitioner. The pair awarded Demetrious hisfirst-degree black belt, in April 2024.[44]
Fernandes and his wife, Amanda, have three sons: Elijah, Gabriel and Lucas.[45]
Mitsuyo "Count Koma" Maeda →Carlos Gracie, Sr. →Reyson Gracie → Osvaldo Alves → Faustino 'Pina' Neto → Bibiano Fernandes
| 31 matches | 25 wins | 6 losses |
| By knockout | 2 | 2 |
| By submission | 9 | 0 |
| By decision | 13 | 4 |
| By disqualification | 1 | 0 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 25–6 | Kevin Belingon | Decision (split) | ONE 171 | February 20, 2025 | 3 | 5:00 | Lusail, Qatar | |
| Loss | 24–6 | Stephen Loman | Decision (unanimous) | ONE on Prime Video 4 | November 19, 2022 | 3 | 5:00 | Kallang, Singapore | Catchweight (153.25 lb) bout; both fighters missed weight. |
| Loss | 24–5 | John Lineker | KO (punch) | ONE: Lights Out | March 11, 2022 | 2 | 3:40 | Kallang, Singapore | Lost theONE Bantamweight Championship (145 lb). |
| Win | 24–4 | Kevin Belingon | Submission (rear-naked choke) | ONE: Century – Part 2 | October 13, 2019 | 2 | 2:16 | Tokyo, Japan | Defended theONE Bantamweight Championship (145 lb). |
| Win | 23–4 | Kevin Belingon | DQ (illegal elbows) | ONE: A New Era | March 31, 2019 | 3 | 3:40 | Tokyo, Japan | Won theONE Bantamweight Championship (145 lb). An illegal elbows to the back of the head rendered Fernandes unable to continue. |
| Loss | 22–4 | Kevin Belingon | Decision (split) | ONE: Heart of the Lion | November 9, 2018 | 5 | 5:00 | Kallang, Singapore | Lost theONE Bantamweight Championship (145 lb.) |
| Win | 22–3 | Martin Nguyen | Decision (split) | ONE: Iron Will | March 24, 2018 | 5 | 5:00 | Bangkok, Thailand | Defended theONE Bantamweight Championship (145 lb.) |
| Win | 21–3 | Andrew Leone | Submission (rear-naked choke) | ONE: Kings & Conquerors | August 5, 2017 | 1 | 1:47 | Macau,SAR, China | Defended theONE Bantamweight Championship. |
| Win | 20–3 | Reece McLaren | Decision (split) | ONE: Age of Domination | December 2, 2016 | 5 | 5:00 | Pasay, Philippines | Defended theONE Bantamweight Championship. |
| Win | 19–3 | Kevin Belingon | Submission (kimura) | ONE: Dynasty of Champions | January 23, 2016 | 1 | 4:04 | Changsha, China | Defended theONE Bantamweight Championship. |
| Win | 18–3 | Toni Tauru | KO (punch) | ONE: Kingdom of Warriors | July 18, 2015 | 3 | 1:02 | Yangon, Myanmar | Defended theONE Bantamweight Championship. |
| Win | 17–3 | Kim Dae-hwan | Submission (rear-naked choke) | ONE FC: Warrior's Way | December 5, 2014 | 2 | 1:16 | Pasay, Philippines | Defended theONE Bantamweight Championship. |
| Win | 16–3 | Masakatsu Ueda | Decision (unanimous) | ONE FC: Rise of Heroes | May 2, 2014 | 5 | 5:00 | Pasay, Philippines | Defended theONE Bantamweight Championship. |
| Win | 15–3 | Kim Soo-chul | Decision (unanimous) | ONE FC: Total Domination | October 18, 2013 | 5 | 5:00 | Kallang, Singapore | Won and unified theONE Bantamweight Championship. |
| Win | 14–3 | Koetsu Okazaki | Decision (unanimous) | ONE FC: Rise to Power | May 31, 2013 | 5 | 5:00 | Pasay, Philippines | Won the interimONE Bantamweight Championship. |
| Win | 13–3 | Yoshiro Maeda | Technical Submission (triangle choke) | Dream 18 | December 31, 2012 | 1 | 1:46 | Tokyo, Japan | Non-title bout. |
| Win | 12–3 | Gustavo Falciroli | Decision (unanimous) | ONE FC: Pride of a Nation | August 31, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Quezon City, Philippines | |
| Win | 11–3 | Antonio Banuelos | TKO (punches) | Fight For Japan: Genki Desu Ka Omisoka 2011 | December 31, 2011 | 1 | 1:21 | Saitama, Japan | Won the 2011 DREAM Bantamweight Grand Prix and the inauguralDREAM Bantamweight Championship. |
| Win | 10–3 | Rodolfo Marques | Decision (unanimous) | Fight For Japan: Genki Desu Ka Omisoka 2011 | December 31, 2011 | 2 | 5:00 | Saitama, Japan | 2011 DREAM Bantamweight Grand Prix Semifinal. |
| Win | 9–3 | Takafumi Otsuka | Technical Submission (rear-naked choke) | Dream 17 | September 24, 2011 | 1 | 0:41 | Saitama, Japan | Bantamweight debut. 2011 DREAM Bantamweight Grand Prix Quarterfinal. |
| Loss | 8–3 | Hiroyuki Takaya | Decision (unanimous) | Dynamite!! 2010 | December 31, 2010 | 3 | 5:00 | Saitama, Japan | Lost theDREAM Featherweight Championship. |
| Win | 8–2 | Joachim Hansen | Decision (split) | Dream 13 | March 22, 2010 | 2 | 5:00 | Yokohama, Japan | Defended theDREAM Featherweight Championship. |
| Win | 7–2 | Hiroyuki Takaya | Decision (split) | Dream 11 | October 6, 2009 | 2 | 5:00 | Yokohama, Japan | 2009 DREAM Featherweight Grand Prix and the inauguralDREAM Featherweight Championship. |
| Win | 6–2 | Joe Warren | Submission (armbar) | Dream 11 | October 6, 2009 | 1 | 0:42 | Yokohama, Japan | 2009 DREAM Featherweight Grand Prix Semifinal. |
| Win | 5–2 | Masakazu Imanari | Decision (unanimous) | Dream 9 | May 26, 2009 | 2 | 5:00 | Yokohama, Japan | 2009 DREAM Featherweight Grand Prix Quarterfinal. |
| Win | 4–2 | Takafumi Otsuka | Decision (unanimous) | Dream 7 | March 8, 2009 | 2 | 5:00 | Saitama, Japan | Return to Featherweight. 2009 DREAM Featherweight Grand Prix Opening Round. |
| Win | 3–2 | Len Tam | Submission (triangle choke) | Raw Combat: Redemption | October 25, 2008 | 1 | 0:58 | Calgary, Alberta, Canada | |
| Win | 2–2 | Juan Barrantes | Decision (unanimous) | Raw Combat: Resurrection | June 20, 2008 | 3 | 5:00 | Calgary, Alberta, Canada | |
| Loss | 1–2 | Norifumi Yamamoto | Decision (unanimous) | Hero's 10 | September 17, 2007 | 3 | 5:00 | Kanagawa, Japan | Lightweight debut. |
| Loss | 1–1 | Urijah Faber | TKO (punches) | KOTC: All Stars | October 28, 2006 | 1 | 4:16 | Reno, Nevada, United States | For theKOTC Bantamweight Championship (145 lb). |
| Win | 1–0 | Luis Figueroa | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Jungle Fight 3 | October 23, 2004 | 1 | 0:31 | Manaus, Brazil | Featherweight debut. |
| New championship | 1stDream Featherweight Champion October 6, 2009 - December 31, 2010 | Succeeded by |
| New championship | 1stDream Bantamweight Champion December 31, 2011 - Present |
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