Fernandes

By FCF Staff

Just days after it was announced that Bibiano Fernandes would make his Octagon debut at UFC 149, the DREAM Bantamweight Champion has reportedly announced via his Facebook account that he never signed with the promotion. The news comes one day after a reported bout between Fernandes and Roland Delorme was removed from the UFC 149 line-up on the promotion’s website. It was then reported by several media outlets that an injury was behind the withdrawal of Fernandes.

According to a post  on MMA commentator and veteran fighter Paul Lazenby’s official website, Fernandes has relayed on his Facebook page that:

“It was announced that I, Bibiano Fernandes have been contracted to fight for the organization at UFC 149 which will take place in the city of Calgary on the 21st of July. I would like to make it clear that I am not a UFC athlete as I did not sign any contract with the UFC organization. Negotiations between the UFC and myself did take place, however, we could not resolve the issues on the table and as a result we did not come to an agreement. The recent reports that have been circulating in the media are false, contrary to what is being said, I am not a UFC athlete.”

Fernandes (11-3), who won DREAM’s bantamweight grand-prix tourney and title in December, furthered:

“I did not find the terms set before me by the UFC beneficial to my family and as a result an agreement could not be reached and no contract was signed. It should be noted that the UFC is the largest MMA organization in the world however, my personal and professional obligations have brought me to the decision that I will not be a part of the UFC organization at this point in time. The day that an agreement is reached and the terms set forth are beneficial to both parties involved, I will have the most pleasure and satisfaction to fight for the organization while always representing my beloved country.”

The 32 year-old-fighter also added that he remains the DREAM Bantamweight Champion.

Fernandes could not be reached for comment. The fighter’s former manager, UFC and Strikefore vet Bill Mahood, relayed to FCF today that he has not spoken with Fernandes since prior to the announcement that the bantamweight would compete at UFC 149.

The decorated Brazilian Jiu Jitsu competitor is 9-1 in his last ten fights, with his only loss during that stretch coming to Hiroyuki Takaya, who defeated Fernandes to take DREAM’s featherweight title.