Janigleison Herculano Alves, better known as Gleison Tibau (born July 10, 1983) is a Brazilian mixed martial artist currently competing in the Welterweight division.
1999
A professional since 1999, he has competed for the UFC, Professional Fighters League (PFL), DEEP, and Golden Boy Promotions.
Tibau began training for mixed martial arts at 13 and was fighting by 15.
He was a state champion in Rio de Janeiro in both Brazilian jiu-jitsu and wrestling.
He was brought up as a fighter in Kimura team, from northern Brazil.
Tibau trains at American Top Team.
Tibau made his UFC debut at welterweight against Nick Diaz.
Tibau started strong and was taking Diaz down efficiently while avoiding submissions using Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
In the second round he got tired and lost by TKO due to strikes.
Tibau took on Jason Dent at UFC 68.
Tibau won by unanimous decision.
He then took a one fight hiatus from the company and returned to defeat Jeff Cox by submission due to an arm-triangle choke.
Tibau then fought undefeated Brit Terry Etim, outwrestling his opponent for a unanimous decision.
Tibau then lost back to back fights to Tyson Griffin at UFC 81 and Joe Stevenson at UFC 86.
He was on the verge of release from UFC by president Dana White.
He rebounded with back to back wins over Rich Clementi and Jeremy Stephens.
At the TUF 9 Finale, Tibau fought Melvin Guillard.
Tibau lost by split decision.
Many thought Tibau won the fight.
Tibau's next fight was at UFC 104 where Tibau beat Josh Neer after landing 10 takedowns via unanimous decision (30-27, 30–27, 30–27).
2010
Tibau won his second straight match with a first-round TKO over Caol Uno on March 31, 2010, at UFC Fight Night 21.
Tibau faced Jim Miller on September 15, 2010, at UFC Fight Night 22.
He lost the fight via unanimous decision.
2011
Tibau beat Kurt Pellegrino on March 19, 2011, at UFC 128 via split decision.
Tibau then defeated veteran Rafaello Oliveira via second round rear naked choke, earning Submission of the Night honors.
Tibau won via split decision against Rafael dos Anjos on November 19, 2011, at UFC 139.
2012
Tibau next faced undefeated prospect Khabib Nurmagomedov on July 7, 2012, at UFC 148, losing via unanimous decision.
Tibau fought Francisco Trinaldo on October 13, 2012, at UFC 153 winning via unanimous decision.
2013
He lost to Evan Dunham on February 2, 2013, at UFC 156 by split decision.
Tibau then faced John Cholish on May 18, 2013, at UFC on FX 8, winning via second round submission.
Tibau beat Jamie Varner on August 31, 2013, at UFC 164 by split decision.
With this fight, he became the youngest fighter in UFC history to record 20 bouts.
Tibau lost to Michael Johnson in the last fight of his contract on December 28, 2013, at UFC 168 via second-round knockout.
2014
On January 16, 2014, Tibau signed a four-fight contract.
Tibau faced Pat Healy on July 16, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 45, winning by unanimous decision.
Tibau next faced Piotr Hallmann on September 13, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 51.
He won the back-and-forth fight via split decision.
This fight earned Tibau his first Fight of the Night bonus award.
Following the bout Hallmann failed his post fight drug test due to the presence of drostanolone in his system.
2015
Tibau defeated Norman Parke on January 18, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 59, replacing Jorge Masvidal, winning via split decision.
