Bibiano Fernandes

Bibiano Fernandes da Silva Neto (born March 30, 1980) is a Brazilian-Canadian former professional mixed martial artist and black belt Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) practitioner. A professional from 2004 to 2025, he most notably competed in the Bantamweight division of ONE Championship, where he was the two-time and longest reigning ONE Bantamweight MMA World Champion, along with being the interim ONE FC Bantamweight Champion in 2013. He formerly competed in the Bantamweight and Featherweight divisions of DREAM, where he was the inaugural and last DREAM Bantamweight Champion, and the inaugural DREAM Featherweight Champion. He also won the DREAM 2009 Featherweight Grand Prix, and the DREAM 2011 Bantamweight World Grand Prix. Bibiano was the company’s second two-weight champion.

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. He was once ranked as the #5 bantamweight in the world by MMA Weekly.

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 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 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.

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. 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. 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 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.

ONE Championship 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.

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. He won the bout via unanimous decision and became the undisputed champion.

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 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.

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.

Fernandes faced Belingon in a trilogy match at ONE Championship: A New Era on March 30, 2019. 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.

Fernandes faced Belingon for the fourth time at ONE Championship: Century on October 13, 2019. 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. However due to the pandemic, the event was postponed and the bout was moved to ONE: Bad Blood on February 11, 2022. Lineker tested positive for COVID days before the event and the bout was pulled. The bout was rescheduled for ONE: Lights Out on March 11, 2022. Fernandes lost the title by second-round knockout.

Fernandes faced Stephen Loman on November 19, 2022, at ONE on Prime Video 4. At weigh-ins, the pair failed to make weight in the bantamweight division and agreed to compete in the 153.25 lbs catchweight. He lost the fight via unanimous decision. Parting ways with ONE, retirement, and Hall Of Fame induction 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’.

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

After Bibiano’s retirement at ONE 171, it was announced on February 21st, the day after his retirement, that he was going to be the second inductee to the ONE Hall of Fame. On March 23, 2025, the day when ONE 171 went on air, Bibiano was inducted into the ONE Hall of Fame by Chatri Sityodtong, the co-founder, chairman, and CEO of ONE Championship.

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. He won a gold medal.

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

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 instructor and practitioner. The pair awarded Demetrious his first-degree black belt, in April 2024.

Personal life Fernandes and his wife, Amanda, have three sons: Elijah, Gabriel and Lucas.

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 DREAM DREAM Bantamweight Championship (One time; only) DREAM 2011 Bantamweight World Grand Prix Champion DREAM Featherweight Championship (One time; first) One successful title defense DREAM 2009 Featherweight World Grand Prix Champion ONE Championship ONE Bantamweight Championship (Two times) Seven successful title defenses (first reign) One successful title defense (second reign) Interim ONE Bantamweight Championship (One time) Most title fights in ONE history (13) Most title fight wins in ONE history (11) Tied most consecutive title defenses in ONE history (seven, with Xiong Jing Nan and Nong-O Gaiyanghadao) Most title defenses in ONE's bantamweight division (seven) Sherdog 2011 All-Violence Second Team

Brazilian jiu-jitsu 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

Mixed martial arts record Win

Kevin Belingon Decision (split) ONE 171

Lusail, Qatar Loss

Stephen Loman Decision (unanimous) ONE on Prime Video 4

Kallang, Singapore Loss

John Lineker KO (punch) ONE: Lights Out

Kallang, Singapore Win

Kevin Belingon Submission (rear-naked choke) ONE: Century – Part 2

Tokyo, Japan Win

Kevin Belingon DQ (illegal elbows) ONE: A New Era

Tokyo, Japan Loss

Kevin Belingon Decision (split) ONE: Heart of the Lion

Kallang, Singapore Win

Martin Nguyen Decision (split) ONE: Iron Will

Bangkok, Thailand Win

Andrew Leone Submission (rear-naked choke) ONE: Kings & Conquerors

Macau, SAR, China Win

Reece McLaren Decision (split) ONE: Age of Domination

Pasay, Philippines Win

Kevin Belingon Submission (kimura) ONE: Dynasty of Champions

Changsha, China Win

Toni Tauru KO (punch) ONE: Kingdom of Warriors

Yangon, Myanmar Win

Kim Dae-hwan Submission (rear-naked choke) ONE FC: Warrior's Way

Pasay, Philippines Win

Masakatsu Ueda Decision (unanimous) ONE FC: Rise of Heroes

Pasay, Philippines Win

Soo Chul Kim Decision (unanimous) ONE FC: Total Domination

Kallang, Singapore Win

Koetsu Okazaki Decision (unanimous) ONE FC: Rise to Power

Pasay, Philippines Win

Yoshiro Maeda Technical Submission (triangle choke) Dream 18

Tokyo, Japan Win

Gustavo Falciroli Decision (unanimous) ONE FC: Pride of a Nation

Quezon City, Philippines Win

Antonio Banuelos TKO (punches) Fight For Japan: Genki Desu Ka Omisoka 2011

Saitama, Japan Win

Rodolfo Marques Decision (unanimous) Fight For Japan: Genki Desu Ka Omisoka 2011

Saitama, Japan Win

Takafumi Otsuka Technical Submission (rear-naked choke) Dream 17

Saitama, Japan Loss

Hiroyuki Takaya Decision (unanimous) Dynamite!! 2010

Saitama, Japan Win

Joachim Hansen Decision (split) Dream 13

Yokohama, Japan Win

Hiroyuki Takaya Decision (split) Dream 11

Yokohama, Japan Win

Joe Warren Submission (armbar) Dream 11

Yokohama, Japan Win

Masakazu Imanari Decision (unanimous) Dream 9

Yokohama, Japan Win

Takafumi Otsuka Decision (unanimous) Dream 7

Saitama, Japan Win

Len Tam Submission (triangle choke) Raw Combat: Redemption

Calgary, Alberta, Canada Win

Juan Barrantes Decision (unanimous) Raw Combat: Resurrection

Calgary, Alberta, Canada Loss

Norifumi Yamamoto Decision (unanimous) Hero's 10

Kanagawa, Japan Loss

Urijah Faber TKO (punches) KOTC: All Stars

Reno, Nevada, United States Win

Luis Figueroa Submission (rear-naked choke) Jungle Fight 3

Manaus, Brazil