Bibiano Fernandes knocks out Toni Tauru, retains bantamweight title at ONE: 'Kingdom of Warriors'

Bibiano Fernandes defended his ONE Championship 135-pound title with a third round stoppage win over Toni Tauru in Myanmar on Saturday (July 18, 2015). The fight headlined the organization's inaugural event in Yangon and was witnessed by a sold out crowd inside Thuwanna Stadium.

Fernandes implemented a wrestling orientated strategy in the first two rounds as he put Tauru on his back and kept him there. In round three, the Brazilian decided to test his striking and he was rewarded with his first knockout since 2011, as a right uppercut hurt the challenger and a follow-up right hook put him away.

The win takes his record to 18-3 and cements Fernandes' status as the most dominant fighter in Asian MMA. He's also held titles at 135 pounds and 145 pounds with DREAM and hasn't been beaten as a bantamweight since facing Norifumi Yamamoto in only his third fight as a professional back in 2007.

Tauru drops to 10-2-1 after tasting defeat for the first time since 2011. It was Fernandes' tenth straight win and the third successful defense of the bantamweight title that he won with a unanimous decision win over inaugural champion Soo Chul Kim back in 2013.

Official results for ONE: "Kingdom of Warriors"

135 lbs.: Bibiano Fernandes beats Toni Tauru by KO (Punch) at 1:02 of round 3
105 lbs.: Jenny Huang beats Elena Pashinina by Decision (Split) at 5:00 of round 3

Myanmar Lightweight Alternate Bout
Saw L Lay beats Saw Hla Doe via decision (Unanimous) at 5:00 of round 2

Myanmar Lightweight Tournament Semifinals
Thway Thit Aung defeats Saw Thae Oo by TKO (Punches) at 0:52 of round 1
Saw Ba Oo beats Dawna Aung by TKO (Punches) at 4:03 of round 1

Myanmar Featherweight Alternate Bout
Phoe Thaw beats Kyal Sin Htoo by TKO (Cut) at 5:00 of round 1

Myanmar Featherweight Tournament Semifinals
Tha Pyay Nyo beats Hlit Hlit Lay by KO (Punch) at 2:54 of round 1
Myo Man Thit beats Min Htet Zaw via TKO (Punches) at 4:43 of round 1

Myanmar Lightweight Tournament Finals
Thway Thit Aung beats Saw Ba Oo by KO (Punch) at 2:25 of round 1

Myanmar Featherweight Tournament Finals:
Tha Pyay Nyo beats Myo Man Thit by TKO (Punches) at 0:56 of round 1

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