Emmanuela Oliveira 
After drawing attention with his return to Jiu-Jitsu competitions, Bibiano Fernandes will step into an arena again, but this time occupying the space reserved exclusively for coaching. Four-time PanAms champion after winning another IBJJF gold medal this season, the former ONE Championship champion will be responsible for guiding another mixed martial arts legend in Jiu-Jitsu. Demetrious Johnson, former UFC champion, will put the gi to perform at the IBJJF World Masters in Vegas, scheduled to take place between the 29th and 31st of this month.
Current ONE champion earned his Jiu-Jitsu black-belt this year
In April, Johnson was promoted to black-belt by Bibiano Fernandes, who now runs the Flash Academy in Canada. The fighter who became famous in the UFC and was the company’s first flyweight champion, is registered in the World Masters to perform as a featherweight, master 2, a division that has more than 40 black-belts. Demetrious Johnson is still active today and holds a title in a major MMA organization. He is the current ONE Championship flyweight champion.
Bibiano may have been excited about the possibility of putting on the gi once again in 2024. However, his commitment as a professor has become more important now. “I won’t be able to fight because I’m going to help Demetrious Johnson and some of my students who will be at the event. Now, I need to focus on my students and the athletes who need my help. At the end of this championship, I’ll plan to come back stronger next year.”.
Bibiano Fernandes fought grappling against Urijah Faber at the ADXC 5 main event
On August 2, Bibiano Fernandes had his second grappling fight in his career. He faced Urijah Faber in the main event of ADXC 5, at the Mubadala Arena in Abu Dhabi. In the fight, the second time Faber and Fernandes faced each other, the American emerged victorious by unanimous decision. According to Bibiano, who took the setback as another learning experience, a more specific knowledge of the rules made the difference in determining the winner of the fight.
“I am a martial artist who is returning to Jiu-Jitsu, and it was my second fight after winning the IBJJF Pans. The rules are complex, so I will be more careful next time. In the end, I started opening my guard to try to sweep and I managed to do it. I was happy to have taken him down twice as well. The fight was good in many ways. It was an honor to fight Faber, the kid is excellent.”.
