Bibiano in action against Imanari at Dream in 2009 (Photo courtesy of FEG Inc.)
Jiu-Jitsu world champion Bibiano “The Flash” Fernandes lived up to his nickname and finished Yoshiro Maeda, a former PRIDE fighter, at DREAM 18 on New Year’s Eve.
The black belt took just over a minute to take his opponent down and finish the Japanese fighter with a triangle in the first round.
With the result, the bantamweight nabs his 13th win in MMA.
In other action at the event, Jiu-Jitsu black belt Shinya Aoki dispatched Antonio McKee via technical knockout.
Holland’s Melvin Manhoef knocked out former Pride FC and UFC star Denis Kang with a flying knee.
The seasoned Tatsuya Kawajiri also came up spades, overcoming former UFC fighter Michihiro Omigawa via unanimous decision.
Dream 18
Saitama, Japan
December 31, 2012
Tatsuya Kawajiri defeated Michihiro Omigawa via unanimous decision;
Georgi Karakhanyan defeated Hiroyuki Takaya via split decision;
Shinya Aoki defeated Antonio McKee via TKo at 0.24 min of R2;
Bibiano Fernandes tapped out Yoshiro Maeda via triangle at 1:46 min of R1;
Melvin Manhoef knocked out Denis Kang at 0.50 min of R1;
Hayato Sakurai defeated Phil Baroni via unanimous decision;
Marloes Coenen tapped out Fiona Muxlow via armbar at 3:29 min of R1;
Will Brooks defeated Satoru Kitaoka via technical knockout at 3:46 min of R2.