If people expect former ONE Bantamweight World Champion Bibiano “The Flash” Fernandes to slowly fade away into obscurity after suffering the worst loss of his career, then they are terribly mistaken.
Fernandes is looking to lick his wounds and bounce back in the most amazing way possible when he takes on #5-ranked Stephen “The Sniper” Loman at ONE Fight Night 4: Abbassov vs. Lee on 19 November at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
It was a forgettable night for “The Flash” last time out when he got caught with Lineker’s booming right hand. But that loss aside, Fernandes believes the fight won’t define his future.
“Since the defeat, I’ve been training a lot. I also focused on my business and my family, and I did an MMA event in Manaus, but I’ve been training a lot,” Fernandes told ONEFC.com.
“I made several adjustments, and I’m ready to fight in November.”
That doesn’t mean he expects to have it easy against Loman, though. Fernandes expects nothing but the best from the surging Loman, who has so far impressed in his ONE Championship run after knocking out Yusup Saadulaev and outlasting Shoko Sato.
Fernandes has been watching a lot of tapes on Loman, and he knows that he can’t take it easy, particularly on the feet.
“My striking has evolved a lot. He has a very good striking game, he has a dangerous left hand, he works well with his right hand hooks, and he is straight with his left hand. I understand his game. He’s a dangerous guy, and he moves a lot,” Fernandes said.
At the end of the day, though, the Brazilian will be banking on his grappling to overcome the danger that Loman presents.
After all, one mistake is all that he needs from Loman, and if that happens, he promises to capitalize.
“I’m sure my grappling is far superior to his grappling. I’m sure he’s working hard not to be taken down, but I’m prepared and focused for this fight,” he said.
“I’m training a lot on my striking and my ground game. I’m going to test his grappling, his wrestling, and his striking. I’m sure I’ll have a good fight against him. If he messes up, I’ll finish him.”
In the meantime, tickets for ONE Fight Night 5 and ONE 164: Pacio vs. Brooks at the Mall of Asia Arena on 3 December are available at https://smtickets.com/events/view/11439.
Also, catch “Globe Presents ONE Warrior Series Philippines” every Sunday night on GTV, the ONE Super App, and watch.onefc.com. Weekly replays air on Tap Go, ONE Championship Philippines Facebook, and ONE Championship’s official YouTube channel.