Bantamweight Bibiano Fernandes on bottom against Gustavo Falciroli in One FC 5 main event / Photo: ONE Fighting Championship

A little guy with a massive arsenal of techniques, Bibiano Fernandes, 32, was overjoyed after winning a unanimous decision over his countryman Gustavo Falciroli in the One FC 5 main event last August 31 in the Philippines.

Besides a round of applause from the crowd and the promoters, the Amazonas State native got a hearty embrace from his old black belt chums Renzo, Rolls, Igor, Gregor and Roger Gracie. “Renzo caught up with me and said that I’m one of the most beloved Jiu-Jitsu guys around, that there isn’t anyone who doesn’t like me… Can you imagine that?” said the three-time World Championship-winning light featherweight (2003/05/06) with a chuckle.

In a conversation with Roger, Bibiano was asked about a special move he used early on in the third round, when “The Flash” got hit with a takedown and, woosh, he materialized on his opponent’s back. Check out the move, starting at 16:30 in the following video.

“I explained to Roger that I learned that one in wrestling training in Canada. I plant my foot and pretend I’m falling, and the guy thinks he’s taken me down. But I have a hook in his leg. So I spin over him and land on his back. It’s really efficient,” explained the champ.

What about you, do you feel the move is useful?

“I’ve been making it to the podium at the biggest IBJJF competitions ever since 1999 without fail, but I feel it’s about time for the next big leap in my career, and what I want most is to recover my post of being number one. At the last Worlds, I feel I lost to Rafael Mendes on a trifle, in a great match, and I want to intensify my focus on competition,” said Mário, this year’s gold medalist and a two-time world champion (2003/2004).

Speaking kindly of and thankful to Carlos Gracie Jr. and Marcio Feitosa, “for all they have done for me,” the featherweight also had words of praise for Gracie Barra’s champions, but lamented the fact it was impossible to always have them together on the same mat.

“The guys at Gracie Barra are strong as ever but they’re spread out all around the place, and I feel the need to be at an academy where it’s competition time all the time. I fulfilled a dream by competing for Gracie Barra and training with guys like Marcio Feitosa, Bráulio Estima, Roger Gracie, Rômulo Barral, Phillipe Furão, Lucio Lagarto, Jefferson Moura, Victor Estima, Otávio Sousa and so many other people,” he listed.

“The guys are awesome. But it’s becoming harder and harder for everyone to train together, and in São Paulo I feel I can find that. I want to focus on championships, and it will be a new phase for me; I feel this is what I need at this stage in my career. I’ve been at the top tier ever since 1999, and I feel spending time with Gurgel and the group at Alliance will put me back at the top,” explained Reis, who will be dividing his training between São Paulo and Porto Alegre.

“I’m grateful to GB for the kindness and support; I have no complaints about anyone there, but I hope they understand that this is something I need to do. I’m looking at my Gracie Barra gi and feel like I’m part of the family, but unfortunately time has come for me to be honest with myself and fully focus on competition,” said Mário in closing.

On Saturday, 2003’s Jiu-Jitsu world champion will be teaching a seminar in the city of Bauru, São Paulo starting at 2pm.

The seminar will be held at the academy of Professor Fábio Marmontel. “It will be pretty much people here’s last chance to learn from him, as he’s about to move to Europe,” says Fábio.

For further information, Marmontel can be reached by phone (14) 9118-7591 or via email fabiomarmontel@hotmail.com.