'You either retire a GSP or Khabib, or compete long enough to become a Tony Ferguson.'

[krelianx]

It's not that black or white. Randy, for instance. Werdum...

 

[krelianx]

Khabib did even less, though. At least Tibau took Khabib down and did more damage =>

Round 1
Nurmagomedov circles the perimeter throwing single punches over thetop while Tibau throws more compact punches, with neither finding success in the opening 90 seconds. Quick high kick flashed by Nurmagomedov but it’s deflected as the lightweights work in the middle of the cage now. Nurmagomedov grabs a single-leg and bulliesTibau into the fence to try and finish the takedown. Tibau defends well and Nurmagomedov can’t finish against the cage. Tibau is denied on a single-leg of his own inside the last minute, then hops around to defend one from Nurmagomedov. The Russian stays after it,can’t get it and settles for a knee in the clinch as they exit.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Tibau
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Tibau
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Tibau

Round 2
It’s tentative striking through the first minute of round two, with Nurmagomedov swiping at the body and Tibau finally throwing ablocked body kick. Single-leg try from Tibau is stuffed and Nurmagomedov goes for one of his own on the fence. Tibau does wellto keep his balance once again, hopping around on one leg while throwing punches and breaking off with a knee. Tibau muscles Nurmagomedov to the ground, but the Russian hops back up and goesright after the single again. Tibau puts his back on the fence andshuts it down again. Nurmagomedov lets up on the takedown try for amoment, just long enough to land three punches over the top, his hardest offense of the fight. Ref Mario Yamasaki splits them up amoment later, 50 seconds left in the round. Nurmagomedov misses wide with a lead uppercut and gets put on the canvas face-first,but Tibau lets him back up. Nurmagomedov continues to miss with his punches in the closing seconds but finds a right hand before thehorn.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Tibau
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Tibau
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Tibau

Round 3
Both guys paw and miss with punches both short and long in the opening minute of the final frame. Nurmagomedov has a high kick deflected off Tibau’s forearms but snaps one low on the Brazilian’s legs. Waistlock on the fence turns into yet another single-leg by Nurmagomedov, and again Tibau stays vertical, punishing with knees inside as he does. Nurmagomedov breaks off and scores a right handbut is taken down by Tibau soon after. Tibau spins to try and take the back, can’t secure it and allows Nurmagomedov back to his feet. Nurmagomedov pushes Tibau into the cage again and ref Yamasaki warns the K Dojo fighter not to grab the fence as he keeps Tibau in place. Tibau breaks off with about 80 seconds left in the fight.Tibau stands in front of Nurmagomedov and nods out of the way ofthe Russian’s wild haymakers, occasionally scoring with a counter and stuffing one last takedown before the end of the bout.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-10 (30-28 Tibau)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Tibau (30-27 Tibau)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Tibau (30-27 Tibau)

Official result: All three judges score the bout 30-27 for the winner by unanimous decision, Khabib Nurmagomedov. The crowd boos the baffling verdict as Nurmagomedov tears up. Tibau looks rightfully incredulous when the winner’s name is read.

MEDIA SCORES​
MMAJunkie.com​	29-28​	Nurmagomedov​
Jordan Breen Sherdog.com​	28-30​	Tibau​
Tristen Critchfield Sherdog.com​	27-30​	Tibau​
Chris Nelson Sherdog.com​	27-30​	Tibau​
Shaun Al-Shatti MMAFighting.com​	27-30​	Tibau​
MMAWeekly.com​	27-30​	Tibau​

Interestingly, the only media to have scored the fight for Khabib, MMAJunkie, scored round 2 for Tibau also had this to say about the fight: "Certainly wouldn’t hate a draw here in what turned out to be a bit of a stalemate in terms of action."

"Khabib won all 3 rounds against Tibau" is pure revisionist history & cope.

This is true. As is Arona vs. Fedor.

 

[nostradumbass]

I disagree that Volk moving up makes GSP's decision look better. After the first fight with Islam, Volk's stock went way up on a loss just because he was competitive. Getting KO'd in the 2nd fight probably did start the beginning of the end for him though, since getting savagely KO'd when you're over 35 is usually when it's about over for you. Even though GSP did move up and win the MW title, that doesn't really seem to rank very high on the list of accomplishments people mention, because he retired and came back because there was a vulnerable champ, and people seem more impressed by his

Jones did something similar, and basically left at 32 when he started barely getting by or even getting some robberyish decisions, then came back when he could fight a guy with a massive grappling weakness who isn't a massive 1 punch KO threat for the HW title, but he gets more credit for that than GSP got for doing the same.

There are some guys who fight past their prime and don't go on a Tony or BJ losing streak. Randy took a step back and fought other old guys and a gimmick fight with James Toney to avoid going out on a long losing streak. Matt Hughes fough some other older guys and only went out on 2 losses and won 3 of his last 5. The bigger problem is when guys can't admit they aren't at the same level and keep fighting top opponents and getting smoked, or fight again too soon trying to hurry and get a win back.

Khabib will be forgotten and quickly lol ...

GSP will live on because he actually did something no1 else did ...

Not that quickly, apparently. He retired 4 years ago and 2 of the first 3 threads are about him, and he gets more mentions and threads on here now than GSP or Silva and even most active fighters.

 

[GearSolidMetal]

Defending takedowns isnt scored either.

Khabib did even less, though. At least Tibau took Khabib down and did more damage =>

Round 1
Nurmagomedov circles the perimeter throwing single punches over thetop while Tibau throws more compact punches, with neither finding success in the opening 90 seconds. Quick high kick flashed by Nurmagomedov but it’s deflected as the lightweights work in the middle of the cage now. Nurmagomedov grabs a single-leg and bulliesTibau into the fence to try and finish the takedown. Tibau defends well and Nurmagomedov can’t finish against the cage. Tibau is denied on a single-leg of his own inside the last minute, then hops around to defend one from Nurmagomedov. The Russian stays after it,can’t get it and settles for a knee in the clinch as they exit.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Tibau
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Tibau
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Tibau

Round 2
It’s tentative striking through the first minute of round two, with Nurmagomedov swiping at the body and Tibau finally throwing ablocked body kick. Single-leg try from Tibau is stuffed and Nurmagomedov goes for one of his own on the fence. Tibau does wellto keep his balance once again, hopping around on one leg while throwing punches and breaking off with a knee. Tibau muscles Nurmagomedov to the ground, but the Russian hops back up and goesright after the single again. Tibau puts his back on the fence andshuts it down again. Nurmagomedov lets up on the takedown try for amoment, just long enough to land three punches over the top, his hardest offense of the fight. Ref Mario Yamasaki splits them up amoment later, 50 seconds left in the round. Nurmagomedov misses wide with a lead uppercut and gets put on the canvas face-first,but Tibau lets him back up. Nurmagomedov continues to miss with his punches in the closing seconds but finds a right hand before thehorn.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Tibau
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Tibau
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Tibau

Round 3
Both guys paw and miss with punches both short and long in the opening minute of the final frame. Nurmagomedov has a high kick deflected off Tibau’s forearms but snaps one low on the Brazilian’s legs. Waistlock on the fence turns into yet another single-leg by Nurmagomedov, and again Tibau stays vertical, punishing with knees inside as he does. Nurmagomedov breaks off and scores a right handbut is taken down by Tibau soon after. Tibau spins to try and take the back, can’t secure it and allows Nurmagomedov back to his feet. Nurmagomedov pushes Tibau into the cage again and ref Yamasaki warns the K Dojo fighter not to grab the fence as he keeps Tibau in place. Tibau breaks off with about 80 seconds left in the fight.Tibau stands in front of Nurmagomedov and nods out of the way ofthe Russian’s wild haymakers, occasionally scoring with a counter and stuffing one last takedown before the end of the bout.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-10 (30-28 Tibau)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Tibau (30-27 Tibau)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Tibau (30-27 Tibau)

Official result: All three judges score the bout 30-27 for the winner by unanimous decision, Khabib Nurmagomedov. The crowd boos the baffling verdict as Nurmagomedov tears up. Tibau looks rightfully incredulous when the winner’s name is read.

MEDIA SCORES​
MMAJunkie.com​	29-28​	Nurmagomedov​
Jordan Breen Sherdog.com​	28-30​	Tibau​
Tristen Critchfield Sherdog.com​	27-30​	Tibau​
Chris Nelson Sherdog.com​	27-30​	Tibau​
Shaun Al-Shatti MMAFighting.com​	27-30​	Tibau​
MMAWeekly.com​	27-30​	Tibau​

Interestingly, the only media to have scored the fight for Khabib, MMAJunkie, scored round 2 for Tibau also had this to say about the fight: "Certainly wouldn’t hate a draw here in what turned out to be a bit of a stalemate in terms of action."

"Khabib won all 3 rounds against Tibau" is pure revisionist history & cope.

This is true. As is Arona vs. Fedor.

I was very curious about this fight, so I checked and its on YouTube.



I watched it in its entirety, and its much closer than I remember. It basically depends on how much significance you hold holding someone up against the fence.

If its little, because Khabib was clearly constantly going for TDs, and never getting them... then Tibau won. Also Tibau got two TDs of Khabib, one in the 2nd and one in the 3rd, though he wasn't on the ground long. Also Tibau landed more shots in the clinch and when they were standing. Khabib was just swinging for the fences and never landing anything other than a single cut on Tibau's right eyebrow.

If its alot, then Khabib clearly won, because roughly a third if the entire fight Khabib was holding Tibau against the cage. Thats 'octagon control,' but in the weakest sense of the very vague scoring criteria. Khabib gets the nod for overall aggression but little to nothing ever landed for him, so I guess it depends on how much significance you put on punches that hit nothing but air... just like going for takedowns and never getting one. Khabib was looking desperate in all 3 rounds to get a TD because he was obviously uncomfortable in every aspect of the fight he's not ontop of his opponent.


Got to keep in mind that judges are cageside and that often can be some of the worst perspective of a fight. We, the televised audience, get to see the best angle from a over a dozen cameras, while judges only have their eyes from ground-level of one side of the cage.

From one perspective, if you hold 'positioning' & 'attempted aggression' as more important factors in all of the three rounds, Khabib won 30-27.

If you hold 'effective aggression' & 'strikes landed' as more important factors in all of the three rounds, Tibau won 30-27.

 

[sonhow]

Retire just before fighting the hardest opponent.
Oliviera for Khabib
Hendricks rematch for GSP
If Volk retired before Topuria fight hed be on list as well.

 

[Xoleth]

Tony has 35 fights. It's not little, but it's not much.
Mousasi, for example, has 60 fights, and hasn't declined as bad as Tony, even if he lost his last two fights.
Maybe it's more about choices.
Imagine Volk, with 5 defenses, not going at LW. He wins two more fights at FW, so 7 defenses, then losses to Ilia, then retires.

 

[JudoThrowFiasco]

Not sure why people say GSP and Khabib aren't apt comparisons. Both walked away at 32. Both did so at the top. Khabib just entered the UFC at an older age, had to go 10-0 in the UFC and was 29 turning 30 before getting a title shot / winning the title. GSP got 2 title shots in his first 8 UFC fights and was 25 when he won. Yeah GSP had more title defenses but that was due to the circumstances of timing and age. Both defended their title with basically the same frequency of timing between 29 and 32

 

[Brigfa2]

GSP or Khabib loll They are nowhere near each other on longevity

 

[Brigfa2]

Khabib will be forgotten and quickly lol ...

GSP will live on because he actually did something no1 else did ...

They shouldn't even be in the same sentence.
.IMO...

That said .. Fighting is a way of life for these guys...

Like i said the uninitiated wont understand...

GSP accomplished alot more then Tony as did Volk ...they can afford to be done with the sport..Tony isn't done with the sport yet

Nah, Khabib was the first good muslim champ so they will not forget him. In the end it's all about the allah

 

[chinarice]

Not sure why people say GSP and Khabib aren't apt comparisons. Both walked away at 32. Both did so at the top. Khabib just entered the UFC at an older age, had to go 10-0 in the UFC and was 29 turning 30 before getting a title shot / winning the title. GSP got 2 title shots in his first 8 UFC fights and was 25 when he won. Yeah GSP had more title defenses but that was due to the circumstances of timing and age. Both defended their title with basically the same frequency of timing between 29 and 32

They aren't because GSP had 10 ok/solid/good wins by fight 16. Khabib had 0. Their careers are nothing alike and GSP's resume absolutely shits all over Khabib's. GSP has more title fights than Khabib has UFC fights.

Take away half of GSP's career and they then have a comparable career.

GSP had more title defenses because his career wasn't slowrolled, coddled. Khabib almost guaranteed wouldn't have retired undefeated if he rolled his career like GSP did.

 

[aali14]

Volk is still ahead of Khabib in the P4P Goat list though

 

[HHJ]

Khabib almost guaranteed wouldn't have retired undefeated if he rolled his career like GSP did.

haha! but he DID retire undefeated!

Never to know the sting of defeat.

At no time saying "this loss is the best thing to ever happen to me"

To be completley alien to the concept of not winning everything all the time

Destined to avoid knowing what it's like to see the opponents hand raised

Cursed to wander the earth forever, completley invincible,vanquishing all foes.

He didnt ask to be this way.

It is simply his Karma.

 

[ryun253]

Tony got screwed by a camera cable. it sucks, but that pretty much changed his entire career.

Shouldn't have worn sunglasses inside

 

[HHJ]

Tony has 35 fights. It's not little, but it's not much.
Mousasi, for example, has 60 fights, and hasn't declined as bad as Tony, even if he lost his last two fights.
Maybe it's more about choices.
Imagine Volk, with 5 defenses, not going at LW. He wins two more fights at FW, so 7 defenses, then losses to Ilia, then retires.

I mean 35 fights is quite enough if its the right fights. Plus he has a style that isnt really built for longevity. He isnt gonna win any fights by hanging back and chilling.

 

[chinarice]

haha! but he DID retire undefeated!

Never to know the sting of defeat.

At no time saying "this loss is the best thing to ever happen to me"

To be completley alien to the concept of not winning everything all the time

Destined to avoid knowing what it's like to see the opponents hand raised

Cursed to wander the earth forever, completley invincible,vanquishing all foes.

He didnt ask to be this way.

It is simply his Karma.

and yet everything I said remains the same

Karma isn't real.

 

[HHJ]

Karma isn't real.

Khabib is.

 

[Lee Danger]

Tony Ferguson started losing from the moment he started facing real title contenders and btw he got gifted with Castillo.

 

[chinarice]

Khabib is.

GOAT St Pierre is GOAT

 

[HHJ]

Tony Ferguson started losing from the moment he started facing real title contenders and btw he got gifted with Castillo.

Nahhh Tony was a real one.

 

[Lee Danger]

Arlovski, for some reason, is an interesting and unique situation.

For some reason Dana keeps him around, paying him BIG show-up money to be a gatekeeper of the Top12 of the weakest division of the mens divisions. His performances haven't even been impressive for the last 8-9 years, he has his share of wins & losses, and those who beat him don't necessarily get a big boost in their momentum.

I remember 12 years ago we were saying 'He needs to retire.' Thankfully he didn't listen.

He's the only MMA fighter left that fought in the 90s, 2000s, 2010s, and almost halfway through the 2020s.

Arlovski must have some Dana's photos on Epstein's Island...