Tag: Gleison Tibau

Defying the odds: The 10 biggest MMA betting upsets of 2021

Check out the biggest upsets of 2021, according to the oddsmakers.

Who doesn’t love a good upset?

In 2021, MMA saw its fair share of underdogs who defied the odds – in the UFC, Bellator and beyond. While everyone has an opinion of who should win and who should lose, the oddsmakers largely get the final say on what history reflects.

This year, with the help of MMA database Tapology, MMA Junkie has compiled the top 10 betting upsets of 2021. Fights that were eligible were those which numerous major online sports books recognized, and which Tapology recorded prior to line close.

Check out the top 10 MMA betting upsets of 2021 below, per Tapology. Note that only major MMA promotions were included in the tally.

Video: Gleison Tibau puts opponent to sleep in the first-round at 2021 PFL Playoffs 1

Watch MMA veteran Gleison Tibau put his opponent to sleep at Friday’s 2021 PFL Playoffs 1.

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. – [autotag]Gleison Tibau[/autotag] continues to find success at 170 pounds.

The former UFC contender and MMA veteran scored a quick submission win over Micah Terrill at Friday’s 2021 PFL Playoffs 1 in Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. Tibau (36-15) put Terrill to sleep with an arm-triangle at the 2:17 mark of round one.

After engaging on the feet for around two minutes, Tibau shot a blast-double takedown, slammed Terrill, and quickly took top position. From there, the Brazilian quickly advanced to mount and sank in an arm-triangle choke. Terrill tapped but the referee didn’t see the motion and went unconscious a second later.

The 38-year-old is now on a two-fight winning streak, as he was coming off a controversial split-decision win over Rory MacDonald. He’s 3-1 since moving up to welterweight after years of competing at 155 pounds.

Below you can watch Tibau’s first-round finish:

Up-to-the-minute results of 2021 PFL Playoffs 1 include:

  • Gleison Tibau def. Micah Terrill via submission (arm triangle) – Round 1, 2:18
  • Olivier Aubin-Mercier def. Darrell Horcher via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-26, 29-27)
  • Brett Cooper def. Tyler Hill via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 2:32
  • Magomed Umalatov def. Leandro Silva via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Michael Lombardo def. Kyron Bowen via TKO (leg kicks) – Round 1, 3:42
  • Elvin Espinoza def. Hopeton Stewart via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 2:45

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Now at welterweight, Gleison Tibau aims for career resurgence with PFL: ‘I’m going to be champion’

MMA veteran Gleison Tibau eager for future now signed with PFL and fighting at welterweight.

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. – [autotag]Gleison Tibau[/autotag] has a good feeling about his latest career chapter.

The seasoned veteran is looking to reinvent himself and have a career resurgence now that he’s undergone some big changes in the sport. Tibau (36-15) now finds himself back in a major promotion having signed with PFL and is fighting in a new division – welterweight.

“My fights before and a long time in the UFC were at 155,” Tibau told MMA Junkie. “I was younger, the weight cut was easier and I had better recovery, you know. Now I’m 38 and with a lot of fights. Man, my last fight at 155 I didn’t feel good with the recovery. I think because I’m older my recovery wasn’t back 100 percent.

“I talked to my trainers my coaches and we decided to change divisions because I didn’t feel good in the fights. I didn’t feel the power, the explosiveness, the energy, nothing. I go 170 and maybe I’ll have a better performance.”

For more than a decade, Tibau fought under the UFC banner and at 155 pounds, competing against the very best in the world. The Brazilian saw that chapter of his life come to an end in mid-2018 when he suffered his fourth consecutive defeat in the organization.

From there, Tibau went on to fight twice – once again in 2018 for Golden Boy MMA and then in 2019 at Battlefield FC 2 in China. And along the way, he found himself again just in time to sign with PFL in 2021.

“My first fight was against Efrain Escudero (Golden Boy MMA) and we said 170 and Efrain said no, so we did catchweight at 160. I felt better, yes. But my first fight at 170 it was against Will Brooks in China and wow, my performance was good. I felt better, just everything was better. I went back to ATT, I talked to my coaches, and decided this was my division. I’m more explosive, my power, my aggressiveness at 155 was lost. I lost my power, my performance.

“I went to PFL, I’m excited, I’m happy. It’s a big show, a good promotion. My first fight in PFL was against Zeferino, Brazilian guy, tough guy, and very good fighter. The fight was very close, but I didn’t feel comfortable and it had been a long time since I competed. My second fight against Rory MacDonald – the legend – he’s a tough guy and a former champion at Bellator and contender for UFC. I was more comfortable and I felt much better. It was a tough fight, but I felt more comfortable and more aggressive. I feel in better shape to compete and (Friday) everyone is going to see a good performance.”

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Although the fight against Rory MacDonald ended in a controversial decision, Tibau definitely had his moments and they were enough to win the fight, at least in the judges’ eyes that night. Tibau was a replacement opponent for MacDonald, as David Michaud had to withdraw from the season due to health reasons.

Tibau returns to the cage on Friday night at 2021 PFL Playoffs 1. He fights Micah Terrill in a non-season bout part of the preliminary card on ESPN+.

Tibau feels his new start at welterweight will prolong his career in MMA and will give him a new wind. He’s 3-1 since leaving lightweight and the UFC and doesn’t plan to stop.

“I told PFL that everybody has a good chance to win (the tournament this season) because next season I’m killing everybody. I’m going to be champion. That’s my big focus, become champion for PFL.”

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2021 PFL Playoffs 1 sees four matchups altered, one fight added

Four matchups have been altered for the 2021 PFL Playoffs 1 event on Aug. 13.

The first playoff event for PFL in 2021 has undergone various changes.

Four of the current matchups have been altered, and one fight has been added to the Aug. 13 event at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla. PFL officials informed MMA Junkie of the changes on Wednesday.

[autotag]Joao Zeferino[/autotag], who was set to take on [autotag]Magomed Magomedkerimov[/autotag] in the welterweight co-main event, is out due to injury and has been replaced by No. 5 seed [autotag]Sadibou Sy[/autotag].

With Sy stepping in as an alternate, veteran [autotag]Gleison Tibau[/autotag] now faces replacement [autotag]Curtis Millender[/autotag].

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Former PFL champion [autotag]Natan Schulte[/autotag] also was forced to withdraw for undisclosed reasons. His opponent, [autotag]Olivier Aubin Mercier[/autotag], will now face fellow former UFC fighter [autotag]Darrell Horcher[/autotag] in a lightweight matchup.

[autotag]Nikolai Aleksakhin[/autotag] is out of his scheduled bout against [autotag]Brett Cooper[/autotag] for undisclosed reasons. Cooper now takes on PFL newcomer [autotag]Tyler Hill[/autotag].

Additionally, a new lightweight matchup has been added to the card, as [autotag]Elvin Espinoza[/autotag] puts his undefeated record up against [autotag]Hopeton Stewart[/autotag].

The main card for 2021 PFL Playoffs 1 airs on ESPN 2 and the prelims on ESPN+.

With the changes, here is the updated lineup:

MAIN CARD (ESPN2, ESPN+, 9 p.m. ET)

  • Ray Cooper III vs. Rory MacDonald
  • Magomed Magomedkerimov vs. Sadibou Sy
  • Clay Collard vs. Raush Manfio
  • Alex Martinez vs. Loik Radzhabov

PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN+, 5:30 p.m. ET)

  • Olivier Aubin-Mercier vs. Darrell Horcher
  • Curtis Millender vs. Gleison Tibau
  • Brett Cooper vs. Tyler Hill
  • Micah Terrill vs. Magomed Umalatov
  • Kyron Bowen vs. Michael Lombardo
  • Elvin Espinoza vs. Hopeton Stewart

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2021 PFL Playoffs 1 additions include Oliver Aubin-Mercier vs. Natan Schulte

While the PFL’s playoff structure has been set since June, the full lineup for the promotion’s upcoming events is now nearly complete.

While the PFL’s playoff structure has been set since June, the full lineup for the promotion’s upcoming events is now nearly complete.

Promotion officials today announced additional bouts for 2021 PFL Playoffs 1, which takes place Aug. 13 at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla. The night’s playoff bouts air on ESPN2 and stream on ESPN+, while the non-playoff matchups will stream exclusively on ESPN+.

“Not only will 550 million MMA fans around the world witness win-or-go-home playoff action, but they will see some of the best fighters the PFL has to offer showcased,” PFL CEO Peter Murray stated.

Featured additions includes a lightweight contest include two-time PFL champion [autotag]Natan Schulte[/autotag] (21-4-1) taking on 12-time UFC veteran [autotag]Olivier Aubin-Mercier[/autotag] (12-5), as well as Swedish PFL vet [autotag]Sadibou Sy[/autotag] (9-5-2) facing 28-time UFC veteran [autotag]Gleison Tibau[/autotag] (35-15).

2021 PFL Playoffs 1 marks the first of three events for the promotion in a 15-day stretch, where the finalists will be set for the 2021 PFL world championship bouts, which will take place later this year.

“The excitement of the Professional Fighters League’s final four is unmatched in sports,” Murray stated. “The stakes for the fighters could not be higher as they compete for spots in the $1 million world championship bouts.”

The 2021 PFL Playoffs 1 lineup includes:

MAIN CARD (ESPN2, ESPN+, 9 p.m. ET)

  • Ray Cooper III vs. Rory MacDonald – welterweight semifinal
  • Magomed Magomedkerimov vs. Joao Zeferino – welterweight semifinal
  • Clay Collard vs. Raush Manfio – lightweight semifinal
  • Alex Martinez vs. Loik Radzhabov – lightweight semifinal

PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN+, 5:30 p.m. ET)

  • Olivier Aubin-Mercier vs. Natan Schulte
  • Sadibou Sy vs. Gleison Tibau
  • [autotag]Nikolay Aleksakhin[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Brett Cooper[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Darrell Horcher[/autotag] vs. opponent TBA
  • [autotag]Micah Terrill[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Magomed Umalatov[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Kyron Bowen[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Michael Lombardo[/autotag]

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Triple Take: Highlights and lowlights of the 2021 PFL regular season

Our Triple Take panel looks at the PFL’s six regular season events to examine the highs – and lows – on the way to the $1 million playoffs.

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The 2021 PFL regular season is in the books, and after taking a one year hiatus from live events due to the coronavirus pandemic, the promotion has rebounded and reasserted itself as a top player in MMA.

From putting on live events on ESPN2 to signing a number of key free agents to seeing some of those free agents getting upset in the cage, there have been many twists and turns in what arguably has been PFL’s breakout year.

With the playoffs and $1 million championship rounds up next, there’s more to come from PFL before the year is out. With six regular season events complete, we thought it was a good time to examine the good and the bad from PFL this year.

In the latest edition of MMA Junkie’s “Triple Take,” the panel of Mike Bohn, Farah Hannoun and Nolan King offer up their highlights and lowlights from the 2021 PFL regular season.

2021 PFL 5 video highlights: Welterweight, light heavyweight playoffs set

Check out the video highlights from Thursday’s 2021 PFL 5, where the postseason was cemented at welterweight and light heavyweight.

The PFL returned Thursday with postseason spots on the line in the welterweight and light heavyweight divisions.

There was a big surprise in the 2021 PFL 5 main event when [autotag]Gleison Tibau[/autotag] upset former Bellator welterweight champion [autotag]Rory MacDonald[/autotag] with a split decision. MacDonald derided the result as a robbery after the fight – but courtesy of a first-round finish in his first fight of the season, he still had enough points to reach the playoffs despite the loss. Tibau’s win was worth 3 points, which wasn’t enough to make the postseason.

[autotag]Ray Cooper III[/autotag] found himself in an interesting situation, too. He took a unanimous decision from [autotag]Nikolay Aleksakhin[/autotag] in the welterweight co-main event – but couldn’t earn any points in the standings because he missed weight. In fact, he was docked a point for that infraction. But because not enough fighters below him in the standings did enough to pass him, he still will fight in the four-man bracket to go after a second $1 million prize.

Joining MacDonald (6 points) and Cooper (5) in the welterweight postseason will be top seed [autotag]Joan Zeferino[/autotag] (8) and No. 4 seed [autotag]Magomed Magomedkerimov[/autotag] (5).

In light heavyweight fights on the main card, [autotag]Chris Camozzi[/autotag] upset [autotag]Cezar Ferreira[/autotag]. But Ferreira’s 6-point finish in his first fight remained enough to get him to the postseason, and Camozzi’s 3 points from his unanimous decision wasn’t enough to get him in after a loss in his opening fight. And [autotag]Emiliano Sordi[/autotag] fought to a draw with [autotag]Dan Spohn[/autotag], worth just 1 point each. But that was enough to give Sordi 4 points – and a tiebreaker over Cory Hendricks, who had a 4-point finish of [autotag]Marthin Hamlet[/autotag] on the prelims.

Despite the loss, Hamlet still made the playoffs with 5 points. Joining him are [autotag]Antonio Carlos Junior[/autotag] (7) atop the 205-pound table, Ferreira (6) and Sordi (4).

Check out the highlights from 2021 PFL 5 in the video above.

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2021 PFL 5 results: Gleison Tibau pulls of shocking split decision win over Rory MacDonald

Check out the full results of 2021 PFL 5, headlined by a welterweight matchup between Rory MacDonald vs. Gleison Tibau.

[autotag]Gleison Tibau[/autotag] will miss the 2021 PFL playoffs, but that didn’t stop him from creating drama with a huge upset win over [autotag]Rory MacDonald[/autotag].

In the main event of 2021 PFL 5, MacDonald (22-7-1) found himself on the wrong end of a split decision to Tibau (35-15). 2021 PFL 5 took place at Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City, N.J. The main card aired on ESPN2 following prelims on ESPN+.

For most fighters on the card, this event was all about securing the most points possible to lock in their spot for the playoffs. Entering the cage on Thursday with six points on the board and a spot in the playoffs already clinched, MacDonald did not share that concern. His opponent Tibau, however, needed a first or second-round finish to earn a spot in the playoffs.

Tibau started the first round aggressively, looking to land hard strikes, knowing his playoff life was on the line with time against him. MacDonald stayed light on his feet and circled on the outside while landing strikes of his own.

An accidental eye poke from MacDonald occurred in the middle of the opening round, but Tibau continued after a short break to recover.

When the action resumed, Tibau continued to swing for the fences, but MacDonald wanted to bring the action to the mat to slow his opponent down. He would end up on Tibau’s back and attempt a rear-naked choke, but Tibau defended it well before the round ended.

Perhaps liking the success in the closing moments of the first, MacDonald immediately went for the takedown at the beginning of the second round. Tibau would break free and the pair exchanged strikes in the center of the cage.

MacDonald continued to look for takedown attempts, but Tibau’s defense held strong. Both fighters found the mark for hard strikes, with Tibau blitzing forward with a nice combination to end the round.

Even though he couldn’t secure a finish within the first two rounds, Tibau continued to throw heavy punches in the third. MacDonald controlled the action early by controlling the center of the cage, while landing quick strikes of his own.

MacDonald accidentally poked Tibau’s eye for the second time, halting the action briefly. When the action resumed, Tibau continued to pressure forward and a few strikes were exchanged, but nothing too significant before the fight came to an end.

Two judges scored the bout in favor of Tibau with scores of 29-28, while one judge scored the fight 29-28 for MacDonald, giving Tibau the huge upset victory by split decision.

 

Tibau was on the wrong end of a unanimous decision against Joao Zeferino at 2021 PFL 2 in April, but on Thursday, the judges were on his side.

In the co-main event of the evening, 2019 PFL champion Ray Cooper III ground out a hard-fought decision victory over Nikolay Aleksakhin to clinch a playoff spot, despite losing a point for missing weight.

Thursday’s event featured fights between welterweights and light heavyweights to determine who would advance to the playoffs.

Full results of 2021 PFL 5 are below:

MAIN CARD

  • Gleison Tibau def. Rory Macdonald via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
  • Ray Cooper III def. Nikolay Aleksakhin via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Emiliano Sordi vs. Dan Spohn declared a unanimous draw (28-28, 28-28, 28-28)
  • Chris Camozzi def. Cezar Ferreira via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-27)

PRELIMINARY CARD

  • Antonio Carlos Junior vs. Vinny Magalhaes ends in no contest (groin strike) – Round 1, 2:45
  • Cory Hendricks def. Marthin Hamlet via submission (rear naked choke) – Round 3, 4:09
  • Joao Zeferino def. Jason Ponet via submission (arm triangle) – Round 2, 2:16
  • Magomed Magomedkerimov def. Curtis Millender via submission (Ezekiel choke) – Round 1, 1:57
  • Tom Lawlor def. Jordan Young via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
  • Sadibou Sy def. Aleksei Kunchenko via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

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Twitter reacts to Rory MacDonald’s stunning loss to Gleison Tibau at 2021 PFL 5

Check out the top Twitter reactions to Rory MacDonald’s upset loss to Gleison Tibau in the 2021 PFL 5 main event.

[autotag]Rory MacDonald[/autotag] suffered one of the most controversial losses in recent memory on Thursday in the 2021 PFL 5 main event.

MacDonald (22-7-1), a former Bellator champion and UFC welterweight contender, looked easily en route to going 2-0 in his PFL career in his regular season finale with [autotag]Gleison Tibau[/autotag] (36-15) at Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City, N.J. But then the judges’ decision was read, and he left the cage a loser by split decision.

It was a shocking result, as it seemed clear MacDonald had won the fight. The MMA community was left flabbergasted, and they reacted on Twitter.

Check below to see some of those reactions.

2021 PFL 5 weigh-in results: Rory MacDonald, Gleison Tibau make headliner official

Check out the full weigh-in results ahead of Thursday’s 2021 PFL 5 event.

The weigh-ins are in the books for PFL’s fifth event of 2021, with welterweights and light heavyweight ready to close out their season after hitting the scales at Wednesday’s official ceremony.

Welterweights take center stage on Thursday, as [autotag]Rory MacDonald[/autotag] is set to face [autotag]Gleison Tibau[/autotag] in the main event. The co-main event will see [autotag]Nikolay Aleksakhin[/autotag] take on 2019 PFL champion [autotag]Ray Cooper III[/autotag].

2021 PFL 5 takes place Thursday at Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City, N.J. The main card airs on ESPN2 following prelims on ESPN+.

Check out the complete weigh-in results below:

MAIN CARD (ESPN2, 9 p.m. ET)

  • Rory MacDonald (171) vs. Gleison Tibau (170.6)
  • Nikolay Aleksakhin (169) vs. Ray Cooper III (171.8)
  • Emiliano Sordi (205) vs. Dan Spohn (205.6)
  • Chris Camozzi (204.6) vs. Cezar Ferreira (205.4)

PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN+, 5:30 p.m. ET)

  • Antonio Carlos Junior (205) vs. Vinny Magalhaes (204)
  • Marthin Hamlet (205.6) vs. Cory Hendricks (205.6)
  • Jason Ponet (169.4) vs. Joao Zeferino (171)
  • Magomed Magomedkerimov (171) vs. Curtis Millender (170.6)
  • Tom Lawlor (203.6) vs. Jordan Young (206)
  • Aleksei Kunchenko (169.6) vs. Sadibou Sy (170)

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