Bibiano Fernandes’ end to his time with ONE Championship was less than ideal.
From the early days of the organization, Fernandes, 43, quickly became a staple within the 145-pound Bantamweight division. After a decade-long run with ONE, Fernandes has now parted ways with the promotion, where he essentially became its version of Anderson Silva, setting the title defense record with seven consecutive and eight total.
Brazil’s Fernandes’ contract expired in December 2023 and he was informed there would be no follow-up offer. Originally, “The Flash” claimed he was going to be matched with fellow legend, Shinya Aoki, at ONE 165 in Tokyo, Japan next month (Jan. 28, 2024). However, that fight instead went to Sage Northcutt and Fernandes finds himself without a fighting home.
“I wasn’t mad at them,” Fernandes told MMA Fighting. “Do I think they could have offered me more fights? 100 percent. I was out for three years basically and they could have offered me more fights. Was I a bit upset? I was, but that’s life. Many people in the world work hard, give their lives for the company they work for, and in the end [the company] owners say ‘Thank you for your work,’ and that’s it. I was sad, but what can I do? Life goes on.
“Only I know what I went through,” he continued. “My run at ONE, I think no one will replicate what I’ve done there. No one will defend the title as many times. I’ve worked for them for 11 years. So many difficulties there, but there’s a point in life I was like, ‘No, wait a minute.’ There are many things I don’t agree with, but still had to go through. I’m a mixed martial arts fighter but they’re doing business. They only think about business, you know? What can I do?”
Fernandes (24-6) was unbeaten for the better part of his 15-fight run with ONE (12-3) until he lost a questionable split decision in his rematch with Kevin Belingnon in November 2018. The promotion had the pair of Bantamweights fight twice more after the clash, which saw Fernandes win both to recapture and remain champion before he was, as he claims, held out of action. Upon his return in March 2022, Fernandes lost the title via second round knockout against John Lineker (watch highlights).
“Many athletes go through difficulties,” Fernandes said. “If you’re a fighter and you’re thinking about fighting for ONE Championship, brother, think twice before you decide to go there.
“You have to be very careful,” he added. “Athletes have to think before — you want to fight there? Go, brother, but there’s a moment in life where you have to make decisions about whether or not this is what you really want.”
As Fernandes continued to make history and establish himself as an all-time great during the heights of his run, there were plans to expand his role outside the cage and ring. After re-signing off the heels of his split defense title defense win against Reese McLaren in February 2017, Fernandes says his contract included working as an analyst, which never happened.
“There are things I wanted [to say] but I can’t say much because they might come at me,” Fernandes said. “I was supposed to be an ambassador for the promotion, but that didn’t happen. And thinking about it now, it’s for the best. I believe a lot in energy. If the energy isn’t there, I don’t need to force anything. If they don’t see what I’ve done for the organization, there’s nothing I can do.
“When I received the letter, I wasn’t mad,” he added. “I felt free, you know? I felt like part of my soul came back to me. … I can’t be with a person, I can’t be in a place where they don’t see things the way I see it. You have your peak in the sport, and they’re smart during that peak. They held me back a lot. I could be fighting. There are things you have to be chill and just accept, let my history speak for me.”
Ultimately, Fernandes’ career in ONE prevented him from ever stepping foot in Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) as he chose the then-Singapore-based organization over an offer to debut at UFC 149 against Roland Delorme.
“It was the right thing to do at that moment,” Fernandes said of choosing ONE over UFC. “I went there and did my part. The promotion wasn’t big, but it was growing. Aoki and I, we helped the promotion grow. I did my part the way I had to do, but there are many things I can’t say. I hope no other athlete goes through what I went through. I hope no organization treats athletes the way I was treated, but I think that will happen. That’s why it’s very important that you have a good manager. I made the mistake of not fighting it when they took my manager from my side.”