Raw Combat Signs World Jiu-Jitsu Champion Bibiano “The Flash” Fernandez

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Vancouver, BC, Canada - A five-time world Jiu-Jitsu champion, Bibiano "The Flash" Fernandez possesses one of the most lethal ground-fighting games in all of mixed martial arts. Despite having only four fights on his record, he has already faced the very best in the world and proven that he has the skills to beat anyone at 145-pounds.

Now, Raw Combat is pleased to announce signing "The Flash" to a four-fight contract.

"We're very happy to get a five-time Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu world champion in our organization," says Raw Combat’s CEO Dave Feser. "It's going to solidify our 145-pound weight division. Bibiano is a true sportsman. He's crowd-entertaining and he carries himself very well, so we're proud to have him with us. He is already recognized in the Jiu-Jitsu community and now he's going to make a name for himself in mixed martial arts."

A native of Manaus, Brazil, Fernandez earned the nickname "The Flash" by submitting countless opponents with lightning-fast armlocks and chokes to win numerous gold medals in the Jiu-Jitsu world championships. After making the move to MMA, he immediately faced the two top featherweight fighters in the world, squaring off against World Extreme Cagefighting champion Urijah Faber in October of 2006 and Japanese superstar Norifumi "Kid" Yamamoto in September of 2007. Despite impressive performances, Fernandez came up short in both bouts, losing due to a cut over his eye in his fight with Faber and by unanimous decision against Yamamoto.

Although he suffered losses, Feser says it's important to recognize the heart Fernandez showed by fighting such seasoned opponents. "If you look at the guys he has fought, these are pretty big steps to start your MMA career," Feser explains. "Give him time on the world scene and he's going to become a top MMA fighter."

In June of 2008, Fernandez notched a win at Raw Combat: Resurrection in Calgary, Alberta, defeating Costa Rica's Juan Barrantes by unanimous decision. After nearly catching Barrantes in an armlock in the opening seconds of the fight, "The Flash" spent the remainder of the bout controlling his opponent on the ground, raining down punches and elbows from the top position. Leaving Barrantes bloody and beaten, Fernandez sent a strong message to future opponents about his intentions to dominate the featherweight class.

"He was a very tough guy. He was very good," Fernandez says. "He trained a lot for the fight. I tried but sometimes you can't submit the guy. That's when you go to punching and kicking to win. I like to fight. If you punch me, I'm going to punch you back two times. This is my style. I go with the flow of the fight. If he gives me the armlock, I'll take it. If he gives me the mount, I'll take it. If he gives me a choke, I'll take it. I'll take whatever my opponent gives me."

About his match at the next Raw Combat event, scheduled for October 25 at the Calgary Corral, Fernandez says he is looking forward to visiting Calgary again to face another tough adversary.

"Raw Combat is a good event," he explains. "It gives good opportunities to fighters like myself and I love Calgary. The people are very friendly."

"I've already fought the best guys in the world," he continues. "Whoever fights me now, it doesn't matter because I've already fought the best. My dream was to fight in MMA. Now I've done that and I'm waiting for the belt to come."

Contacts:

Dave Feser, Raw Combat - (604) 818-1499