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[Sakara=Excitement]

After Failed UFC Negotiations, Bibiano Fernandes Signs With ONE FC - Bloody Elbow

Shortly after DREAM has reportedly ceased operations, the UFC announced that verbal agreements were in place, and they have picked up former two division DREAM champion, Bibiano Fernandes for a UFC 149 bout. A few days later though, reports surfaced that the Brazilian has been pulled out of the card, as he never really signed a contract with the UFC.

Bibiano has stated that negotiations with the UFC failed initially as they "could not resolve the issues on the table" and they couldn't come to an agreement. Numerous reports suggested that the top Asian promotion, ONE FC, has offered a much more lucrative offer, and Bibiano would be weighing his options and making a decision soon.

Fast forward to today, and Fernandes has finally made a decision, indeed signing with the Asian promotion and is set to make his debut on the ONE FC: Manila card this August.

No opponent has been named as of yet, but the ONE FC 5 card is already shaping up very well with fellow DREAM champion, Shinya Aoki headlining, and having several URCC champions on the line up as well.

Fernandes (11-3) is currently the highest ranked bantamweight fighter outside of Zuffa, as he sits at #8 of the consensus rankings. The former DREAM featherweight champion last fought on NYE 2011, defeating two opponents to win the bantamweight Grand Prix, and to take his second title in as much divisions.

[Fedorlei Gomipierre]

Motherfuck.

[disposableassassin]

Boo.

[joeodd2]

Hey not a bad gameplan, make some good money, win some more fights and see what Zuffa has to offer at the end of his contract. Yes Zuffa has a lot of potential, but I doubt the lighter weight classes are making really good money right now. If it makes dollars it makes sense, and let's not start with "the best in the world fights for the UFC" stuff. Those lighter weight classes are brand new, Zuffa has not had the time to really develop them like the higher weight classes. I actually would have loved to see him in Bellator, and that may still be possible. Bellator had a good relationship with dream....

[TBEAR]

damn it

[dj triple]

sweet.. i'm moving to Thailand.. right by Singapore so i can go see him fight live now..

[Cat--Smasher]

Bibiano Fernandes: Why I didn't sign with UFC

Bibiano Fernandes: Why I didn't sign with UFC - Mixed Martial Arts News

Guilherme Cruz: What are the expectations for your One FC debut?

Bibiano Fernandes: I’ve fought all my life in Japan. Most of my fans live there. I guess One FC is just an extension of Dream. It’s not Dream, but the guys there have been helping one another at One FC. If you really look at it, you’ll see the guys that used to work on Dream here.

GC: Do you think One FC will be a huge success in the Asian market?

BF: It’s an event that needs to be watched, needs to grow too because that way the competition comes. UFC’s going to win it all. There’s no competition, none whatsoever. Even at my weight class, and I hope they hire good fighters in other classes too, but in all light divisions so things are balanced.

GC: There was a surprise when UFC announced you signed in for the Canada event but days latter it was announced they let you go. Days later you said you didn’t even sign that same contract. What really happened?

BF: Apart from family, it’d be a great opportunity for Bibiano, but when you put the family in the picture it’s not worth it. I don’t fight for me. I have people who rely on me. I’ve built what I had to build in MMA. It can be many people’s dream to fight in the UFC, but it ain’t mine. It’s all business to me. I’ve dreamed about being a champion, I earned three belts: one in Canada and two in Japan. If you have a dream, keep dreaming. If you want to fight, keep on trying. But this I’ll tell you: worship yourself otherwise nobody else will. And it’s not only on the fighting business, but in everything in life. People use you, use you, use you and then through you away like garbage.

GC: MMA is getting big in Brazil. Do you want to fight here?

BF: I dream on fighting in Brazil, of course. I want that. I’m an athlete and I like to compete. If it was at my hometown, Manaus, it would be even better. Fighting in front of my family and friends would be amazing but maybe in the future. We carry on and follow God’s plan.