Ex-UFC lightweight Gleison Tibau turned down Takanori Gomi fight to bake cookies

Longtime Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) lightweight veteran, Gleison Tibau, recently parted ways with the world’s largest mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion after failing to come to terms on a new contract.

I don’t think it comes as a surprise to learn the Brazilian bruiser was not a priority for UFC since Tibau is now 35 years-old and coming off a dreadful four-fight losing streak. Fortunately he doesn’t appear to be short on offers.

“There are many offers coming, but nothing is set yet,” Tibau told MMA Fighting. “Rizin offered me a fight with Takanori Gomi on two weeks’ notice, but I was in Brazil, I was taking care of my cookie business and wasn’t even training, so I couldn’t take it. ACB also sent me an offer, but then they cancelled some cards, so I turned it down. Bellator asked me to wait a little bit, but they are interested. There’s also a promotion from Abu Dhabi, another one in Russia as well. I will sign one-fight deals only so I remain free.”

Tibau (33-14) was one of the most seasoned veterans in UFC, having made his Octagon debut against Nick Diaz way back in 2006. Long considered one of the toughest outs at 155 pounds, things went off the rails in 2015 and the Brazilian was popped by United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA).

No telling yet where Tibau will end up but he vows to make his cage fighting return as a welterweight in an effort to snap his current losing streak. Or maybe that’s just an excuse to eat more cookies.