5 Defining Moments: Bibiano Fernandes

The ending to the story does not yet suit Bibiano Fernandes.

A former Dream and One Championship titleholder with little left to prove, the 42-year-old Brazilian will confront Stephen Loman in a three-round ONE on Prime Video 4 bantamweight showcase on Friday at Singapore Indoor Stadium in Kallang, Singapore. Fernandes has rattled off 16 victories across his past 18 appearances. He has compiled a stellar 12-2 record in ONE while enjoying two separate reigns at 145 pounds.

As Fernandes moves toward his forthcoming battle with Loman in Southeast Asia, a look at five of the many moments that have come to define him:

1. Growing Pains

Urijah Faber retained the King of the Cage bantamweight crown and did so in style when he put away Fernandes with punches in the first round of their KOTC “All Stars” headliner on Oct. 28, 2006 at the Reno Events Center in Reno, Nevada. Faber drew the curtain 4:16 into Round 1. Fernandes more than held his own in what was just his second professional appearance. The Brazilian lured Faber to the floor, scrambled to his back, secured his position with hooks and threatened the neck with rear-naked chokes. “The California Kid” called upon his experience and guile, stayed calm under duress and ultimately turned into Fernandes’ full guard. From there, Faber unleashed a hellacious barrage of slashing elbows, one of which hacked open a diagonal cut across the challenger’s forehead. The cageside physician was asked to examine the wound and allowed Fernandes to continue despite considerable bloodshed. Faber resumed his assault from the top after the restart, took a standing position and let fly with punches until referee Herb Dean had seen enough.

2. View from the Top

Fernandes disposed of Joe Warren with an armbar a mere 42 seconds into their grand prix semifinal, then returned to claim a narrow decision over Hiroyuka Takaya in the final to become the inaugural Dream bantamweight champion in the Dream 11 main event on Oct. 6, 2009 at Yokohama Arena in Yokohama, Japan. Judges Matt Hume and Takeshi Kobayashi sided with “The Flash,” while Hikaru Adachi gave Takaya the nod. Fernandes dictated the terms of their engagement with repeated takedowns, superiority in the scrambles and the ever-present threat of the submission. Those efforts provided the Brazilian with welcomed breathing room when it mattered most. Fatigue set in on Fernandes late in the match, giving his Japanese adversary the opportunity for which he had patiently waded. “Streetfight Bancho” connected with powerful combinations and damaging kicks but could not author the finish he needed, as Fernandes returned fire, stayed upright and sat on his lead until the final horn.

3. One of a Kind

Soo Chul Kim was out of his depth in terms of experience and resourcefulness. Fernandes struck for multiple takedowns, frustrated the South Korean prospect with a suffocating top game and held his own in the standup exchanges, as he captured the undisputed One Championship bantamweight crown with a unanimous decision in the ONE 11 main event on Oct. 18, 2013 at Singapore Indoor Stadium in Kallang, Singapore. The multiple-time Brazilian jiu-jitsu world champion coaxed Kim, just 21 years of age at the time, out of his comfort zone. What Fernandes’ strategy lacked in excitement and entertainment value, it more than made up for with effectiveness. Kim did what he could to alter the complexion of the fight, as he secured a takedown of his own and belted Fernandes with punches in close quarters in the fourth round. However, those efforts went for naught.

4. No Footnote to History

The AMC Pankration representative retained his undisputed One Championship bantamweight title when he eked out a five-round split decision over Nguyen under the ONE “Iron Will” marquee on March 24, 2018 at Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand. The loss denied the Australian’s bid to become the first three-division champion in a major mixed martial arts organization. Nguyen outstruck “The Flash” for much of their encounter, opened a cut on his forehead and leaned on stellar takedown defense against the longtime Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt. Fernandes’ persistence paid off in Round 5, where he sat down the fatigued challenger with an overhand right and moved in for the potential kill. Nguyen managed to withstand the follow-up attack, but the champion’s perseverance and late surge appeared to swing the scorecards in his favor.

5. Power Personified

John Lineker once again lived up to his “Hands of Stone” reputation when he took possession of the One Championship bantamweight title with a stirring knockout of Fernandes in the second round of their ONE “Lights Out” co-main event on March 11, 2022 at Singapore Indoor Stadium in Kallang, Singapore. Lineker slammed the door 3:40 into Round 2, completing his ascent to the top of the 145-pound weight class. An entertaining first round in which both men were hurt gave way to the decisive second. Fernandes weathered some searing hooks to the body and head from his countryman, executed a single-leg takedown and went to work in top position. Lineker eventually scrambled back to his feet, moved into open space and let his notorious punching power do the rest. He pawed with a jab, denied an attempted takedown and soon after connected with a lunging left hook. Fernandes hit the canvas in a dazed state, necessitating an immediate stoppage.