Only Tito Ortiz has more UFC fights than Gleison Tibau, so it’s no surprise the lightweight thinks the promotion’s recent switch to tenure-based sponsor pay is good news.
“I feel this new rule will be better,” Tibau (33-11 MMA, 16-9 UFC) told MMAjunkie in an interview conducted after the announcement that it’s changing the way it distributes money from a deal with apparel giant Reebok.
Tibau has walked into the octagon on 25 occasions, most recently at February’s UFC 184, where he lost to Tony Ferguson via first-round submission. He’s on track to pass UFC Hall of Famer Matt Hughes, who also has 25 fights, and could eclipse Hall of Famer Ortiz, who holds the record at 27. (Josh Koscheck also sits at 25 fights with the promotion.)
When Tibau steps into the octagon after the new system takes effect in July, he stands to benefit more than just about everyone besides divisional champions. In fact, he exceeds the number of fights required to be in the top tier of pay (16-20 UFC fights). According to an infographic generated byFightnomics, fighters such as Tibau represent just two percent of the UFC’s current roster.
Tibau, though, has a different idea of what makes tenure-based pay a good thing. Mainly, he said, you’ll see UFC fighters jumping at more opportunities.
“It will make the athletes compete harder, instead of hiding and choosing opponents,” he said. “Atheletes should compete. They should look for fights, and put on great fights. I think it helps boost the promotion.
Shocker: Gleison Tibau says UFC’s new tenure-based sponsor pay ‘will be better’ | MMAjunkie
