Is Bibiano Fernandes The Best Bantamweight In The World?

YANGON, Myanmar -- Brazil's Bibiano "The Flash" Fernandes may not be the most well known bantamweight in the world, but he certainly is one of the most talented.

This Saturday, July 18, at the Thuwunna National Stadium in Yangon, Myanmar, Fernandes headlines ONE: Kingdom of Warriors against rising MMA-star Toni "Dynamite" Tauru of Utti, Finland. At stake will be Fernandes' ONE Bantamweight World Championship.

Fernandes has enjoyed a stellar career so far, racking up 17 victories with only three defeats. He was stopped by UFC star Urijah Faber early in his career, but has evolved into a well-developed fighter since, really coming into his own as a mixed martial artist.

He hasn't lost a bout since 2010 and is currently riding a nine-fight win streak, featuring wins over some of the toughest offers in Southeast Asia, all the while looking mightily unstoppable in the process.

"If fans like the way I fight, I'm happy," said Fernandes. "But I fight the way I fight because I want to take care of my family. They are the most important to me. That's why I always have to be at my very best."

If being the very best means dominating each and every opponent you've faced, Fernandes has done plenty of dominating in the past five or so years.

A quick look at most bantamweight rankings and you'll notice it's littered with UFC fighters, but one question begs -- isn't ONE Championship's bantamweight darling worthy of being in the mix?

If you've seen the way Fernandes dominates his opponents, the immediate answer would be a resounding 'Yes.'

Fernandes has the physical tools to overpower and steamroll through anyone that's put in front of him. At 35-years old, and with more than 10 years of professional MMA experience under his belt, he's considered a veteran in the sport and his experience is an asset.

When ONE Championship, Asia's largest MMA promotion, picked up Fernandes as a free agent back in 2012, it struck gold and knew Fernandes would rule his division no matter who they threw at him.

True to form, he has easily dispatched of his fare share of wrestlers, grapplers and strikers, all without breaking a sweat.

Fernandes' next opponent, Tauru, is no slouch by any stretch of the imagination, and should give "The Flash" a good workout.

Tauru is on his own little streak as well, impressively emerging victorious in his last 10 fights which were all won by submission. Fernandes, who holds a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, will put his mat skills to the test on this one.

Despite the competition getting fiercer, Fernandes remains unfazed, ultimately confident of victory and looking to please fans on fight night.

"I fight because I love the competition. I love testing myself and my skills. The way I fight, I put my life on the line," said Fernandes, the defending champion. "I fight for my family, my country and my pride."

Despite being largely unheralded, Fernandes continues to impress in each outing.

ONE Championship has put Fernandes up against the best in Asia, including the likes of Soo Chul Kim, Masakatsu Ueda and highly-regarded young Korean prospect Dae Hwan Kim.

Fernandes picked them all apart with supreme ease and finesse. Fans of true mixed martial arts will appreciate Fernandes' very technical style.

It's only a matter of time before Fernandes is thrust into megafight proportions, but until then, the Brazilian is content in fighting whoever is in the cage.

"I don't live to be the best in the world, that doesn't matter to me," said Fernandes.

"To me, all that matters is what I do inside the cage and how I represent myself as champion."

Fernandes makes the third defense of his title this Saturday at ONE: Kingdom of Warriors, and despite his tough opposition, is confident of getting his hand raised in victory.

"Being the best is not on my mind. If I perform to the best of my abilities, victory is mine, and that's what I'm working for," said Fernandes.

If he keeps winning, perhaps being considered the very best is only a matter of time.