“I know the way he thinks” - Bibiano Fernandes knew Demetrious Johnson would be back to beat Adriano Moraes after KO loss
Former bantamweight champion Bibiano Fernandes was confident that Demetrious Johnson would bounce back and capture ONE Championship gold in his epic rematch with former titleholder Adriano Moraes at ONE on Prime Video 1.
After suffering the first knockout loss of his MMA career at ONE on TNT 1, ‘Mighty Mouse’ bounced back in the best way possible, knocking out the man who finished him nearly 16 months prior to win another world title.
Discussing Demetrious Johnson’s history-making moment in August, Bibiano Fernandes told The MMA Super Fan:
“I said in previous interviews that I believed D'J' would win the belt. Yeah, I know Adriano [Moraes] was going to try to knock him out. But I know 'DJ'. I know the way he thinks. I was sure he was going to come back and give it his best.”
Fernandes continued, saying:
“You focus on what you have to do. You train. But MMA always has something different for you. When you step into the ring, everything changes. I’m very happy for 'DJ'. He did a great job. Congrats to 'DJ', now he has the belt in ONE Championship.”
This Friday night, Bibiano Fernandes will attempt to get back into the bantamweight title picture as he faces rising contender Stephen ‘The Sniper’ Loman at ONE on Prime Video 4. The event will air live and free in U.S. primetime for Amazon Prime Video subscribers.
Watch the full interview with Fernandes below:
Bibiano Fernandes knows he’ll need a different approach should he meet John Lineker again
Like Demetrious Johnson, Bibiano Fernandes has high hopes of avenging his only knockout loss inside the circle:
“Again, everything is about experience... I believe if I fight John Lineker again, I’ll go figure out something different for John Lineker. I’ll find a way.”
In March, ‘The Flash’ returned from a lengthy layoff to defend his bantamweight title against ‘Hands of Stone’ in a classic battle of striker vs. grappler. Having had early success, including a moment where he dropped Lineker in round one, Fernandes ultimately fell to his fellow Brazilian following a brutal left hook that landed clean in round two.
Now sitting as the No. 3-ranked bantamweight contender, just behind Lineker and Fabricio Andrade, ‘The Flash’ could find himself with the chance to reclaim ONE Championship gold if he can get a victory over the talented Team Lakay standout Stephen Loman at ONE on Prime Video 4.