Suspended for doping two years ago, Gleison Tibau reveals that he thought about stopping fighting

Tibau hasn't fought since November 2015 (Photo: Facebook GleisonTibau)

Without stepping into the Octagon since November 2015, Gleison Tibau can't wait to fight again. Suspended after admitting the use of EPO, a substance banned by USADA (US Anti-Doping Agency), the Brazilian lightweight revealed that he experienced financial difficulties due to the time without being able to perform, which made him think about hanging up his gloves early.

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“I didn’t sleep several times. Money became a problem. Fighters only make money when they compete, but the bills keep coming. Months and months without fights, it really disturbed me. I thought about doing something different, taking another path. Several things went through my head. (…) Not making money for two years was bad, but I was also worried about being out of date when I returned to the sport. Training with the best in the gym changed my mind in that aspect, but paying the bills was a big problem because fighters only make money when they fight”, he declared in an interview with the 'MMA Fighting' website.

The return, however, is close to happening. At least that's what Tibau hopes, who hopes to return to fight in December, when he will make his 27th appearance in the organization.

“After two long years, I was just waiting for my next fight. The UFC guaranteed that I would fight in December, so I'm waiting. They were the worst two years of my life. Imagine going to the gym every day knowing that you won’t be able to fight for two years,” he concluded.

Gleison Tibau, 34 years old, has been in the UFC since 2006, with 16 positive results and 10 negative results. His last duel was in UFC Sao Paulo 2015, when he submitted Abel Trujillo in the first round, but saw his triumph reversed after being caught doping.