Bibiano Fernandes facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bibiano Fernandes |
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Fernandes with his DREAM Featherweight Grand Prix championship belt, 2010
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| Born | Bibiano Fernandes da Silva Neto March 30, 1980 Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil |
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| 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 |
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| Reach | 67.5 in (171 cm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Style | Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Pankration | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fighting out of | Langley, Canada | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Team | Flash Academy BJJ, in Canadá |
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| Trainer | Faustino Neto, Osvaldo Alves | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rank | 5th degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Oswaldo Alves | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mixed martial arts record | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 30 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wins | 24 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| By knockout | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| By submission | 9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| By decision | 12 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| By disqualification | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Losses | 6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| By knockout | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| By decision | 4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Medal record
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Bibiano Fernandes da Silva Neto, born on March 30, 1980, is a talented Brazilian professional mixed martial artist. He is also a highly skilled black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ). Bibiano is famous for his time in ONE Championship. There, he was a two-time ONE Bantamweight Champion. He holds the record for the most title fight wins (11) and is tied for the most consecutive title defenses (7).
Before becoming an MMA star, Bibiano was a five-time World jiu-jitsu champion. He also won the Pan American championship three times. Many considered him the best light-featherweight of his time. He has competed in other major fighting organizations like K-1, DREAM, and King of the Cage. He was also a DREAM Featherweight Champion and a DREAM Bantamweight Champion.
Contents
Bibiano's Early Life
Bibiano Fernandes was born in Manaus, Brazil. He grew up in a neighborhood called Coroado. When he was seven, his mother passed away. His father decided not to raise the children. So, Bibiano and his siblings went to live with their aunt. They lived deep in the Amazon rainforest, near the Ituxi River.
While in the rainforest, Bibiano got malaria. His father brought him back to Manaus for treatment. At nine years old, Bibiano went to school for the very first time.
His Journey in Mixed Martial Arts
When Bibiano was 13, he discovered Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). His family was poor, so he couldn't pay for lessons. His instructor agreed to train him if Bibiano cleaned the gym after class. This made Bibiano truly appreciate the gym and everything he learned there. He often thought, "Good job! You stood your ground and believed in yourself."
Starting His MMA Career
Bibiano faced tough opponents early in his MMA journey. In his second professional fight, he lost to Urijah Faber. This happened at a King of the Cage event in Nevada. Bibiano started strong, but a cut on his forehead stopped the fight. In his next fight, he lost to Norifumi "Kid" Yamamoto in Japan. After these two losses, Bibiano won four fights in a row. This led him to the DREAM Featherweight Grand Prix.
Becoming a Champion in DREAM
At DREAM 11, Bibiano defeated Joe Warren and Hiroyuki Takaya. This made him the winner of the DREAM Featherweight Grand Prix. He also became the first ever DREAM Featherweight Champion. He won against Warren with an armbar in the first round. His fight against Takaya was very close, and he won by a split decision.
Bibiano defended his title against Joachim Hansen at DREAM 13 in March 2010. He won that fight by a split decision too. Later, at K-1 Dynamite!! 2010, he had a rematch with Takaya. This time, Bibiano lost his title to Takaya by a unanimous decision.
Next, Bibiano entered the bantamweight tournament. At DREAM 17, he beat Takafumi Otsuka by submission in the first round. At Fight For Japan: Genki Desu Ka Omisoka 2011, he won against Rodolfo Marques. In the finals, Bibiano defeated Antonio Banuelos. He won by TKO in the first round. This made him the first ever DREAM Bantamweight champion.
A Brief Stop with UFC
In June 2012, it was announced that Bibiano might join the UFC. He was briefly set to fight Roland Delorme. However, Bibiano later explained that he had talked with the UFC but never signed a contract.
His Time in ONE Championship
In June 2012, Bibiano officially signed with ONE Championship. He made his debut at ONE FC 5. He fought Gustavo Falciroli and won by unanimous decision.
Winning Interim and Undisputed Titles
Bibiano's next big fight was at ONE FC 9: Rise to Power. He fought Koetsu Okazaki for the Interim ONE Bantamweight Championship. Bibiano won this title by unanimous decision.
Then, at ONE FC 11: Total Domination, Bibiano fought Soo Chul Kim. This fight was to unify the ONE Bantamweight Championship. Bibiano won by unanimous decision, becoming the undisputed champion.
He defended his title many times. He beat Masakatsu Ueda in May 2014. In December 2014, he defended his title against Dae Hwan Kim. He won with a rear-naked choke. In January 2016, he faced Kevin Belingon and won with a kimura submission. In December 2016, he won a split decision against Reece McLaren.
Losing and Regaining the Title
Bibiano fought Kevin Belingon again in November 2018. This time, he lost his title by split decision. But he got a chance for a third fight against Belingon in March 2019. Bibiano won this fight by disqualification. Belingon landed an illegal elbow, and Bibiano couldn't continue. This made Bibiano the bantamweight champion once more.
He fought Belingon for a fourth time in October 2019. Bibiano won with a rear-naked choke in the second round. His next scheduled fight was against John Lineker. After some delays, Bibiano lost his title to Lineker by knockout in March 2022.
In November 2022, Bibiano fought Stephen Loman. He lost this fight by unanimous decision. In December 2023, Bibiano announced he was no longer with ONE Championship. He is scheduled to fight Kevin Belingon again in February 2025.
His Grappling Achievements
Bibiano Fernandes is a highly decorated grappler. He is a three-time IBJJF World Champion. He is also a three-time IBJJF Pan Champion.
In 2024, Bibiano returned to Brazilian jiu-jitsu competition. He won a gold medal at the IBJJF Pan Championship in the Master 3 featherweight division. He also faced Urijah Faber in a grappling match in August 2024, which he lost by decision.
Bibiano also teaches Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He has trained famous fighters like Demetrious Johnson. Demetrious Johnson, a former UFC and ONE champion, earned his first-degree black belt under Bibiano.
Personal Life
Bibiano Fernandes is married to Amanda. They have three sons together: Elijah, Gabriel, and Lucas.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Family Tree
Here's how Bibiano's Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training connects to its origins:
- Mitsuyo "Count Koma" Maeda
- Carlos Gracie, Sr.
- Reyson Gracie
- Osvaldo Alves
- Faustino 'Pina' Neto
- Bibiano Fernandes
Championships and Awards
Bibiano Fernandes has won many titles and awards in his fighting career.
Mixed Martial Arts Awards
- DREAM
- DREAM Bantamweight Championship (One time)
- DREAM 2011 Bantamweight World Grand Prix Champion
- DREAM Featherweight Championship (One time)
- Defended title once
- DREAM 2009 Featherweight World Grand Prix Champion
- ONE Championship
- ONE Bantamweight Championship (Two times)
- Defended title seven times (first reign)
- Defended title once (second reign)
- Interim ONE Bantamweight Championship (One time)
- Most title fights in ONE history (13)
- Most title fight wins in ONE history (11)
- Tied for most consecutive title defenses in ONE history (seven)
- Most title defenses in ONE's bantamweight division (seven)
- ONE Bantamweight Championship (Two times)
- Sherdog
- 2011 All-Violence Second Team
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Awards
- International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation
- 2024 Pan American Jiu-Jitsu Championship Master 3 Featherweight Gold Medalist
- 2007 Pan American Jiu-Jitsu Championship Black Belt Bronze Medalist
- 2006 World Jiu-Jitsu Championship Black Belt Gold Medalist
- 2006 Pan American Jiu-Jitsu Championship Black Belt Gold Medalist
- 2005 World Jiu-Jitsu Championship Black Belt Gold Medalist
- 2005 Pan American Jiu-Jitsu Championship Black Belt Gold Medalist
- 2004 World Jiu-Jitsu Championship Black Belt Silver Medalist
- 2004 Pan American Jiu-Jitsu Championship Black Belt Gold Medalist
- 2003 World Jiu-Jitsu Championship Black Belt Gold Medalist
- 2003 Brazil National Jiu-Jitsu Championship Black Belt Gold Medalist
- 2002 World Jiu-Jitsu Championship Brown Belt Gold Medalist
- 2002 Brazil National Jiu-Jitsu Championship Brown Belt Gold Medalist
- 2001 Brazil National Jiu-Jitsu Championship Purple Belt Gold Medalist
- 1998 World Jiu-Jitsu Championship Blue Belt Bronze Medalist
- 1997 Brazil National Jiu-Jitsu Championship Blue Belt Gold Medalist
See also
- List of current mixed martial arts champions
- List of male mixed martial artists
