Tibau didn’t win that fight. He did no damage and Khabib had octagon control. Neither fighter did anything but Khabib at least grinded him on the cage.
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 | | |
| | Nurmagomedov |
| | |
| | Tibau |
| | |
| | Tibau |
| | Tibau |
| | Tibau |
| | 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.
