Fighting under the UFC banner is a goal the majority of fighters strive to achieve. The organization is undoubtedly the largest in mixed martial arts, and the roster is home to nearly all of the top-ranked talent in every weight class. Fighting under the bright lights of the Octagon is a dream to most, and the competitive nature of the MMA landscape makes it a difficult one to obtain.
As the UFC’s “back of the house” guru and every fighter’s favorite enthusiast, Burt Watson said on a recent installment of the Embedded series, “It’s harder to stay here than it is to get here.”
While there are plenty who will have failed to hold onto their roster spots over the years, Gleison Tibau isn’t one of them. In fact, the Brazilian powerhouse knows a thing or two about longevity in the chaotic and ever-changing environment that comes with competing in the UFC.
The 31-year-old American Top Team product has been trading leather with the best fighters in the world under the Zuffa banner for the better part of a decade and shows zero signs of slowing down.
He made his promotional debut against Nick Diaz at UFC 65 back in 2006, and eight years and 23 fights later he’s still going strong, as he proved by defeating gritty veteran Pat Healy in his most recent showing back in July.
The win over “Bam Bam” was his 15th victory inside the Octagon, and the Rio Grande do Norte native is still standing tall…ready for whatever opportunities come his way.
“I’m really proud of myself because I love fighting in the UFC,” Tibau told Bleacher Report with the assistance of a translator. “I’ve dedicated myself so much to be focused and ready for any opportunity that comes my way. I’m really happy to be in this organization for as long as I have and I’m proud to fight for the UFC.
“I trained a lot for my last fight because Pat Healy is a very tough guy. It was a good fight and I was happy to get the win. I was happy to take another fight right away. I took a week off then was right back in the gym. That’s what I love to do because you have to be ready in the UFC. You have to always be ready to fight because sometimes people get hurt and you never know what opportunities are going to open up for you.”
In a sport where athletes rise and fall at a remarkable rate, Tibau‘s resilience is unique. That said, he’s still battling his way up the lightweight ranks and will be looking to take another step toward the top when he faces Piotr Hallmann at Fight Night 51 this Saturday night in Brasilia, Brazil.
The MMA Lab product has proved to be a tough customer since joining the UFC last year, winning two of his three showings inside the Octagon.
That said, his most recent victory came at the expense of Tibau‘s teammate and friend, Yves Edwards, back in June, and the Coconut Creek-based fighter will be looking for some payback on Saturday night.
“I definitely am looking for some revenge in this fight,” Tibau said. “Yves [Edwards] is not only a teammate, but a training partner and a good friend of mine as well. This gives me a little bit more motivation and incentive and I’m hungrier than ever to bring this win back to ATT.
“[Hallmann] comes from a grappling and wrestling background and I think this is a good matchup. I come from the same background. I think we match up very well together because I believe I’m better than Hallmann in all aspects of the game.”
While Tibau is thankful for the incredible journey he’s had thus far, his days of mixing it up inside the cage are far from over. Throughout the 15 years he’s been competing as a professional, Tibau has consistently worked to improve his game and has pushed to keep pace with the rapidly changing tides of the sport he loves.
He believes having to constantly refine his process has brought out the very best in him, and he’s confident there are many great fights yet to come.
“I’m in a great chapter of my life,” Tibau said. “My fighting and training are at the levels I want them to be. Even the weight cut, which was really intense for me earlier in my career, has become a much easier process. I feel better than ever and if the fans liked my last fight, they are in for a great fight this time. It will be even better than my last fight.
“After this fight with Hallmann, if everything goes right and I come out with the victory, I would like to fight at least one more time before the end of this year. My goal is to win on Saturday night, then we are really going to start working toward a title shot next year.”
Duane Finley is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report. All quotes are obtained firsthand unless noted otherwise.
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