Gleison Tibau
The Brazilian Gleison Tibau returns to the UFC Octagon in the early hours of Saturday (19) to Sunday (20), in Newark, in the 128th edition of the event. The Potiguar will measure forces against the North American Kurt Pelegrino and needs the victory to return to the top of the lightweight division, which has already suffered a setback against Jim Miller, at UFC Fight Night 22. Tibau, who is an athlete for the American Top Team, a team led by Brazilians in Florida, spoke with the SUPER FIGHTS a few days before his fight.
Confident, the Brazilian guarantees he is well prepared and hopes to defeat the North American to return to being among the best in the lightweight category (up to 70 kilos).
Check out the full interview with Gleison Tibau below, who talks, in addition to his fight at UFC 128, about the future of the lightweight category, future plans and the controversial purchase of Strikforce by Ultimate:
SUPER FIGHTS: How is training going for the fight against Kurt Pelegrino at UFC 128?
tibau: I'm training really hard! I did my Muay Thai with master Katel Kubis and I had several good training partners such as: Luciano Macarrão and Diego Gaspareto.
SUPER FIGHTS: Pelegrino, like you, has a good jiu-jitsu base, has this changed anything in his training?
tibau: Yes, he is very skilled on the ground, so I trained a lot in jiu-jitsu and wrestling too.
SUPER FIGHTS: After this fight, is there any opponent you want to face?
Tibau: I hope to win well, and I would like to fight several times this year. No opponent preference.
SUPER FIGHTS: How do you assess the situation of the lightweight category in the UFC? Since it is the most competitive division in the organization and with the largest number of athletes due to the merger with the WEC?
Tibau: Yes, this category is the most difficult in the UFC currently, as all the athletes are complete, showing good jiu-jitsu, wrestling, boxing and excellent physical preparation... But even so, I'm training hard to reach the top of the division.
SUPER FIGHTS: You are one of the fighters who cuts weight the most to fight at lightweight; Do you feel stronger compared to your opponents? Even though you cut a lot of weight, after the merger with the WEC did you ever consider moving down to the featherweight division?
Tibau: Regarding strength, I feel very good against anyone, and honestly, it would be easier to fight at 77 (kilos), as I naturally weigh 85 and 88 (kilos) and getting to 70 is already very difficult. There's no way I can go any lower, unless they cut off my leg... (laughs)
SUPER FIGHTS: What did you think of the UFC's purchase of Strikeforce?
Tibau: I think it will be good for the fans, as we can have super fights between the best Strikeforce fighters against the UFC fighters.
SUPER FIGHTS: Is there a Strikeforce fighter you would like to face?
Tibau: At the moment I can only think about Kurt Pelegrino.
SUPER FIGHTS: Thank you for the interview and we leave the space open for your final message.
Tibau: I would like to thank SUPER LUTAS for the space and my fans who always follow me and ask them to watch my fight that will be broadcast live on Facebook and cheer for me and Brazil...
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