Bibiano Fernandes
Reigning DREAM bantamweight champion Bibiano ‘The Flash’ Fernandes (11-3) has not been signed by the Ultimate Fighting Championship, and will not be facing Roland Delorme at UFC 149.
Despite news from the promotion that he was to face the Canadian fighter in Calgary, and then a report last night of his withdrawal due to injury, Fernandes has come out saying that he was only in contract negotiations with the top promotion and that he hasn’t signed anything.
Fernandes posted a statement on his Facebook page earlier today about the whole situation.
I would like to make perfectly clear the news concerning my involvement with the UFC. It was announced that I, Bibiano Fernandes have been contracted to fight for the organization at UFC 149 which will take place in the city of Calgary on the 21st of July. I would like to make it clear that I am not a UFC athlete as I did not sign any contract with the UFC organization. Negotiations between the UFC and myself did take place, however, we could not resolve the issues on the table and as a result we did not come to an agreement. The recent reports that have been circulating in the media are false, contrary to what is being said, I am not a UFC athlete. I am a family man before anything else and my profession as an athlete in this sport provides me with the ability and the necessary means to provide for my family. I did not find the terms set before me by the UFC beneficial to my family and as a result an agreement could not be reached and no contract was signed. It should be noted that the UFC is the largest MMA organization in the world however, my personal and professional obligations have brought me to the decision that I will not be a part of the UFC organization at this point in time. The day that an agreement is reached and the terms set forth are beneficial to both parties involved, I will have the most pleasure and satisfaction to fight for the organization while always representing my beloved country. In conclusion, I would like it to be known that I am still the Bantamweight Champion for the Dream organization. Last but not least, I would like to thank God and all my fans and hope they understand my decision.
According to MMAFighting.com, Fernandes has reportedly received a better contract from the Asian based ONE Fighting Championship promotion, but has yet to make a decision as to which promotion he’ll sign with.
If you were interested in our earlier article, check it out below.
The injury bug has struck the UFC yet again after an injury to bantamweight fighter Bibiano ‘The Flash’ Fernandes (11-3) forced the reigning DREAM champion out of his Octagon debut bout with Roland Delorme at UFC 149.
UFC 149: Faber vs. Barao is scheduled to take place on July 21, 2012 at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Fernandes had been one of the World’s top ranked bantamweight fighters not signed by the UFC at the time, so this injury is certainly a disappointment for fans of ‘The Flash’ who had hoped to see the Vancouver, British Columbia based fighter debut in Canada.
Fernandesis the current reigning DREAM bantamweight champion after winning the title last December in the Japanese promotions Grand Prix bantamweight tournament. He earned wins over Takafumi Otsuka, Rodolfo Marques and Antonio Banuelos to claim his second DREAM title.
The UFC has yet to announce a replacement for Fernandes.