Just watched Khabib vs Tibau for the first time...

migeru29

migeru29

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Just watched the fight via fight pass.. I didn't know much about Tibau but WTF with his takedown defense? Was this just not the best Khabib night or Tibau is like a beast at defending takedowns? Did anyone take him down already? If someone did tell me who did I will respect that fighter whoever it is.
 
Tibau has awesome TD defense - its pretty rare that he gets taken down, i do think i remember el cucuy getting him down in the their fight. Remember though - back then when he fought Khabib that secret sauce he was on would've definitely aided him
 
Tibau is absolutely massive for 155.
 
Tibau although not the best has some of the best TDD in LW division. Weird how that works sometimes.
 
Yeah it was a close fight. Made me think Khabib was overrated but now it feels more like an anomaly.
 
Using Fightmetric, the guys in UFC to take Tibau down are...

Tony Ferguson in a short notice fight for Tibau, Jamie Varner after rocking Tibau, Kurt Pellegrino after wobbling Tibau, Melvin Gullard countered a takedown in a hip toss, Joe Stevenson got a big takedown off a scramble and Jeff Cox off a flying knee.

92% takedown defense
 
Tibau has always been a super strong 155er, add the fact he was on the juice and there is your answer. He was already a beast genetically, but then gave it the extra kick. Great Fighter overall.
 
Tibau has some of the best TDD in MMA history. Pretty much no one gets him down. According to FightMetric his TDD% is 92 which ranks top 5 alltime behind Barao, Bones, Woodley and Wineland. And Tibaus TDD has been tested more than those guys except maybe Eddie. He also is closing in on GSP for most TDs ever in UFC, he took Khabib down BTW. FWIW Robbies TDD saw significant improvements since moving to ATT and there Tibau has been one of his main training partners and i highly doubt it was for striking.

And ppl pretty much never have an easy time with Tibau. All of his losses besides Diaz, Stevenson, MJ and Tony have been controversial or extremely close fights. He was a top 10 LW at some point and has solid wins.
 
I was gonna say Nick took him down but really Tibau shot for a TD and Nick sprawled and got top position and smashed him.

Anyway, the only people I can remember taking Tibau down is Ferguson and Varner because his double leg is insanely good. Tibau has always had great TDD, especially when his back is against the fence, which is where Khabib's best and most TD's happen. You always hear people talk about Aldo, Chuck's and JDS's TDD, but Tibau's TDD is right up there with them. That's why Tibau is basically Khabib's toughest fight ever and why so many believe Tibau won that fight. Stylistically, he's just a hard fight for Khabib and still would be today IMO. Hell, I could honestly see Tibau taking a rematch - styles make fights, Tibau has the perfect style to beat Khabib.

He has some of the best TDD ever. Now imagine if his striking was as good as Conor's or something, he'd be top 5 that's for damn sure. Tibau is a damn good fighter, he's the kind of guy that up and coming talent have to beat in order to get to the next level. He's like, the ultimate gatekeeper, lol.
 
That209 said:
I was gonna say Nick took him down but really Tibau shot for a TD and Nick sprawled and got top position and smashed him.

Anyway, the only people I can remember taking Tibau down is Ferguson and Varner because his double leg is insanely good. Tibau has always had great TDD, especially when his back is against the fence, which is where Khabib's best and most TD's happen. You always hear people talk about Aldo, Chuck's and JDS's TDD, but Tibau's TDD is right up there with them. That's why Tibau is basically Khabib's toughest fight ever and why so many believe Tibau won that fight. Stylistically, he's just a hard fight for Khabib and still would be today IMO. Hell, I could honestly see Tibau taking a rematch - styles make fights, Tibau has the perfect style to beat Khabib.

He has some of the best TDD ever. Now imagine if his striking was as good as Conor's or something, he'd be top 5 that's for damn sure. Tibau is a damn good fighter, he's the kind of guy that up and coming talent have to beat in order to get to the next level. He's like, the ultimate gatekeeper, lol.
Click to expand...

If Tibau had better striking, he could very well be the champ.
 
migeru29 said:
Just watched the fight via fight pass.. I didn't know much about Tibau but WTF with his takedown defense? Was this just not the best Khabib night or Tibau is like a beast at defending takedowns? Did anyone take him down already? If someone did tell me who did I will respect that fighter whoever it is.
Click to expand...

It's worth noting that that version of Tibau beat RDA his previous fight, so it wasn't just Khabib who had a tough time with him.
 
That209 said:
I was gonna say Nick took him down but really Tibau shot for a TD and Nick sprawled and got top position and smashed him.

.
Click to expand...
that fight was at 170 though
 
Tibau was more juiced up than Jack LaLanne. In fact here's a pic of him from that fight.
images (5).jpg
 
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