G. Tibau defeated R. MacDonald via split decision. Photo: Reproduction/Twitter
On Thursday night (17), in the main fight of the fifth edition of the PFL in 2021, veteran Gleison Tibau defeated Rory McDonald in the judges' split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28). The fight, which took place in Atlantic City (USA), was marked by great balance and, after three rounds, the Brazilian won the most important victory of his career.
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At 37 years old, Gleison Tibau had his 51st fight as a professional. Professional since 1999, the Brazilian has a record of 36 positive results and 15 negative results.
With the result, MacDonald, 31, feels the taste of his seventh career defeat. He also has 23 wins and one draw. Even so, the Canadian is classified in the semifinals of the tournament.
THE FIGHT
In the first round, everything happened. Rory McDonald was the first to play. He connected with a direct shot at Gleison Tibau, who came in with a counter left. The Canadian then delivered a kick that hit his opponent's waistline. Excited, the Brazilian continued with jabs and direct shots, but ended up getting poked in the eye. At the same moment, he screamed in pain in the decagon. However, after a doctor's analysis, the fight was restarted at its best level. Both fighters started striking, until MacDonald fought in the clinch. With a height advantage, Rory attacked Gleison in the center of the cage and went down. The Canadian soon reached the back, backpacked and tried, unsuccessfully, for a rear naked choke.
The second round came back even busier, when MacDonald went all out on Tibau's legs. Experienced, the Brazilian managed the situation and got out of the way. Fighting in the center of the decagon, the Canadian continued to feint the attack with his legs, but the Brazilian frustrated him in every attempt. Rory landed a high kick to Gleison's face, which, despite appearing to feel it, remained intact. In the final seconds, Tibau went up and connected with a good cross, which made his opponent retreat.
The third and final stage was marked by great commitment between the combatants. MacDonald attempted a takedown, which was defended by Tibau. In one of the movements, the Canadian hit the Brazilian in the eye again. On the way back, the former Bellator champion attempted another takedown, but saw his opponent make the save. Rory still connected two other good blows, but he didn't get enough to win the fight.
PFL 5 Results 2021
MAIN CARD
Welterweight Weight: Gleison Tibau derrotou Rory McDonald in the judges' split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Welterweight Weight: Ray Cooper III defeated Nikolai Aleksakhin via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 29-28)
Light heavyweight: Emiliano Sordi and Dan Spohn drew unanimous judges' decision (28-28, 28-28, 28-28)
Light heavyweight: Chris Camozzi defeated Cezar Mutant in the unanimous decision of the judges (29-28, 29-27, 29-28)
PRELIMINARY CARD
Light Heavyweight: Antonio Shoe Guy x Vinny Pezão ended without result (No Contest) 2m45s from R1 due to an illegal blow applied by Sapato em Pezão
Light heavyweight: Cory Hendricks submitted Martin Hamlet with a rear naked choke at 4m09s of R3
Welterweight Weight: João Zeferino finished Jason Ponet with a katagatame 2m16s into R2
Welterweight Weight: Magomed Magomedkerimov finished Curtis Millender with an 'ezekiel choke at 1m57sec. from R1
Light heavyweight: Tom Lawlor defeated Jordan Young in the unanimous decision of the judges (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Welterweight: Sadibou Sy defeated Aleksei Kunchenko via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
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