Bibiano Fernandes won another world title as the DREAM bantamweight champion won the interim ONE FC bantamweight title with a decision victory over Koetsu Okazaki.
Fernandes opened the fight as the aggressor and was able to get the fight to the ground in the opening 30 seconds of the fight. He was able to advance his position and got the back of Okazaki.
While having the back of Okazaki, he locked in a rear-naked choke but Okazaki was able to defend the takedown. The fight would remain in this position for the remainder of the round with Fernandes dominating the action.
In the second round, Fernandes continued to continue the fight and ended up getting the back of Okazaki. After being unable to get a choke, Fernandes gave up the position and the fighters separated. After an exchange of strikes, Fernandes took the fight to the ground and keep the fight on the ground for the remainder of the round.
Fernandes continued to control the fight at the beginning of the third round by using his strikes and having Okazaki concerned about the takedowns. Fernandes would get the fight to the ground after Okazaki missed on a punch and he was able to achieve the full mount position.
Okazaki ended up giving up his back and Fernandes began to look for a rear-naked choke. He would be unable to get the submission and Okazaki would be able to transition into top position. Fernandes would get off his back and the round ended with the fighters exchanging punches.
As the championship rounds began, Fernandes continued to look for a takedown against the fence and would take the fight to the ground with a leg sweep. Okazaki would give up his back to Fernandes.
After being unable to get a choke, Fernandes went for an armbar that was unsuccessful and Okazaki was able to get back to his feet. As the fourth round came to an end, Fernandez chased down Okazaki and landed several big punches.
The final round opened just as the fourth round concluded with Fernandes chasing down Okazaki. Fernandes would be able to control the action for the final round and would get the unanimous decision victory.
Fernandes (14-4) is now the interim ONE FC bantamweight champion and he has won six in a row.
ONE FC 9 Results:
Bibiano Fernandes def. Koetsu Okazaki via unanimous decision
Masakatsu Ueda def. Kevin Belingon via unanimous decision
Yasuhiro Urushitani def. Rey Docyogen via split decision
Nobutatsu Suzuki def. Phil Baroni via KO (strikes) – Round 1, 4:17
Kamal Shalorus def. Eduard Folayang via unanimous decision
Andrew Leone def. Geje Eustaquio via unanimous decision
Yusup Saadulaev def. Ryan Diaz via submission (d’arce choke) – Round 2, 2:57
Lowen Tynanes def. Felipe Enomoto via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 2:41
Tony Johnson def. Tim Sylvia via TKO (doctor stoppage) – Round 3, 3:25