THE juggernaut that is Bibiano “The Flash” Fernandes continued to roll on Saturday night as he defended anew his world bantamweight title against two-weight division champion Martin “The Situ-Asian” Nguyen by split decision at ONE Championship’s “Iron Will” event in Bangkok, Thailand.
A champion versus champion showdown, Brazilian Fernandes (22-3) did just enough to survive a tough challenge from Australian Nguyen (10-2) to make it an eighth straight successful title defense and solidify his hold as possibly the best fighter in the division in the world.
The headlining bout was competitive right from the start, with both fighters coming out hell bent on seeing their respective causes through.
Mr. Nguyen, who was on a roll entering the fight, landed heavy blows that had the bantamweight champion on his toes in the early part of the match.
But Mr. Fernandes would also have his moments and kept the challenger busy with his own counter moves.
The fifth round proved to be the decider after the two fighters finished the first four pretty much even.
Mr. Fernandes wound up as the busier one between the two in the final frame, enough to convince the judges to go in his favor and award him the narrow split-decision victory.
“I said I would win, and I did. I really live for these challenges. I’m the champion, and I’m here to stay. I’m the best bantamweight in the world. I’ve proven it many times,” said Mr. Fernandes after his hard-earned victory, his 14th straight — ninth in a row in ONE Championship.
With the loss, Mr. Nguyen saw his six-fight winning streak snapped. He, however, retained his featherweight and lightweight titles.
Meanwhile, also winning at Iron Will was Filipino strawweight Jeremy Miado, who silenced the hometown crowd by knocking out former world champion Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke in the opening round of their co-main event bout.
Mr. Miado (7-2) clipped his opponent with a huge right cross following a frenetic exchange, immediately sending Mr. Amnuaysirichoke down to the canvas and prompted the referee to stop the fight at the 1:29 mark of the contest. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo
