Khabib Nurmagomedov’s undefeated 29-0 record ought to speak for itself. One man, however, still believes that he is the sole blip on the former UFC lightweight champion’s record. Gleison Tibau, who lost via decision to Khabib back in 2012, told MMAMania that he still believes he won that fight.
“People are always like, ‘Man! You win this fight, you win this fight.’ Okay, thank you, thank you. Everybody tells [me about] this fight because it was a very tough fight, a very close fight. I think I [hit] more punches, more takedowns, I don’t know what happened, I think I win this fight, too.
Gleison Tibau Still Thinks He Beat Khabib
It was a big surprise for me, a big surprise for Khabib, too. I talked to my coaches, ‘Tough fight, but yeah, you win.’ I remember the referee upped the arm for Khabib. Man! Everybody surprised, Khabib crying, crazy. I never forgot this time because now [he’s a] big name, tough guy, kills everybody like it’s an easy fight. This fight was very, very tough, very close.”
On the night, the judges scored the fight 30-27 for Khabib, although members of the media dissented, offering a more generous 29-28, or in some cases 30-27 in Tibau’s favor. MMA scoring still is not a precise science, however, and in the intervening decade, Tibau has found himself on the winning end of contested decisions. Not least among these was his victory over Rory MacDonald.
“I remember after the fight Rory talked a lot, blah, blah, blah. Man, you show my fights in the UFC, so many fights were close. Similar to like with Khabib, you show my fight with Melvin Guillard, close fight too, I think I win this fight. Jim Miller, more fights, very close, I never talk.
Back to training, go for next fight, no talk, no crying, blah, blah. I’m very sad because he talked a lot. I talked to Ray Sefo, PFL, to do this fight as the first fight because I know. I know this time he’ll be broke. I’ll finish [him], no more talk.”
Tibau’s next fight is against Jarrah Al-Silawi, which will take place on May 6 at 2022 PFL 3. Tibau will likely be looking to finish his opponent in order to prevent yet another controversial decision arising from the judges’ scorecards.
Do you think Tibau defeated Khabib back in 2012, or did the judges get this one right? Let us know in the comments.
