Joe Rogan Asterisk on Khabib’s Undefeated Record: Tibau Fight, Legacy & Debate

Joe Rogan reignites debate around Khabib Nurmagomedov’s perfect 29-0 record, saying there’s an asterisk due to his controversial 2012 bout with Gleison Tibau. Explore Rogan’s remarks, the “undefeated” issue, community reactions, and what it means for Khabib’s legacy.

Introduction

Joe Rogan, longtime UFC commentator and podcast host, recently stirred conversation by claiming that Khabib Nurmagomedov’s perfect MMA record (29-0) should feature an asterisk. Rogan suggested that a particular fight early in Khabib’s career — his 2012 unanimous decision victory over Gleison Tibau — was one that many believe he should have lost. This claim has resurrected debates among MMA fans and analysts: what does it mean to be “undefeated”? How much weight should judgments, scoring controversy, and competitive closeness have on a fighter’s legacy?

In this article, we will unpack Rogan’s statements, look at the Tibau fight, review various community and expert reactions, assess the implications for legacy and “undefeated” status, and situate all of this in the broader context of MMA history.

What Rogan Actually Said: The “Asterisk” Claim

• Joe Rogan made these comments recently on his JRE Fight Companion show. He asserted that while Khabib indeed retired with a 29-0 record, there is one fight where he believes Khabib might’ve lost or had the score going against him: the 2012 fight against Gleison Tibau. Rogan called it “very, very close,” saying that for many observers Tibau might have deserved the decision.
• Rogan emphasized that although the result was a unanimous decision in favor of Khabib, public scoring and unofficial media scorecards at the time leaned toward Tibau; some believed Tibau won.
• He said: “There’s an asterisk. That asterisk is Gleison Tibau. That was a very f***ing close fight that I thought Khabib lost.”

The Tibau Fight: What Happened

• Date & event: July 7, 2012, UFC 148, Las Vegas. Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Gleison Tibau.
• Decision: Khabib won by unanimous decision. All three official judges scored in his favor.
• Opponent performance: Tibau reportedly defended well, avoided many takedowns, had strong defensive wrestling, and in unofficial scoring by media outlets (per sources like MMADecisions) many thought he won or at least that the fight was so close it could’ve gone either way. Rogan and others cite this disparity between media scorecards and official judges as central to the “asterisk” argument.

Why an “Asterisk”? What People Mean by It

In sports, giving something an asterisk typically means: there is some caveat, some nuance that suggests the record isn’t straightforward or might deserve qualification. In this case:

• The fight in question was so close that some believe Khabib’s win is debatable.
• Rogan’s argument is not that Khabib cheated or that the decision was clearly wrong, but that the closeness invites reasonable doubt.
• For many fans and analysts, giving an asterisk isn’t about diminishing Khabib’s dominance elsewhere, but acknowledging that even undefeated records can include contested moments.

Reactions & Community Sentiment

• Fan divided: Some MMA fans agree with Rogan, pointing to unofficial media scorecards or their own memory of the Tibau fight as evidence. Others defend the official decision, noting that the judges saw what they saw — perhaps giving Khabib credit for cage control, pressure, etc.
• Expert commentary: MMA media outlets (e.g. LowKick MMA, MMA News, Bloody Elbow) have published pieces summarizing Rogan’s remarks, often providing throwback stats (strikes, takedowns, defense) to show how close the fight was.
• Khabib’s standing: Despite the controversy, most agree that Khabib’s legacy is not substantially harmed. The win streak, level of competition, and his dominance in title fights are still highly respected. Many see this remark more as a provocative conversation starter than a serious push to reclassify his record.

[Note: Images are collected from Instagram]

Legacy, Undefeated Status & What It Means

Being “undefeated” is powerful in combat sports. It often affects:

• Legacy and GOAT debates: Undefeated fighters tend to receive greater reverence. Anyone who can poke holes in that status invites debate about whether legacy should be weighed simply by record, or by performance, dominance, and context.
• Marketing & perception: Records are used in promotion; “29-0” is cleaner and more compelling than “29-0 with some debate.”
• Historical comparisons: When fans compare to other undefeated fighters (e.g., Floyd Mayweather in boxing, Rocky Marciano, etc.), discussions of margin, competition, closeness, and controversial decisions always occur. Rogan’s comment adds to select literary and fan comparisons: “okay, but was it really that close?”

Joe Rogan just stirred the MMA pot by saying Khabib Nurmagomedov should’ve lost his 2012 fight against Gleison Tibau. Despite Khabib’s perfect 29-0 record and legendary status, Rogan told fans during UFC Paris’s Fight Companion that Tibau “should’ve beat him.”

According to MMA… pic.twitter.com/xouxuIxUk2

— WHAT’S YOUR HUSTLE? | THAT BOXING LIFESTYLE (@whatsyourhustl) September 9, 2025

Counter-Arguments / Defenses of Khabib’s Record

• Judges’ decisions are official and were made according to the rules in place at the time. Judges saw the fight in person or via replay and awarded Khabib the win unanimously.
• MMA judging has inherent subjectivity. Striking vs. grappling vs. control etc. Many close fights exist. One debatable fight doesn’t negate an entire career.
• Khabib’s dominance after that fight: After the Tibau bout, Khabib went on to beat (among others) big names across lightweight divisions, often in dominant fashion. So even if that one fight was close, it doesn’t diminish the rest of his record.
• No official reversal or widespread consensus has overturned (or seriously challenged) the decision legally; thus, Khabib remains 29-0 in all official records.

Wider Implications: Undefeated in MMA, Judging & Rematches

• How much do close fights matter? The Tibau fight isn’t unique; many fighters have controversial or close wins. The question is when those moments start to define perception.
• Scoring criteria & rule changes: Over time, MMA scoring has evolved (or at least the discussion of how to score has). Effective striking, control, aggression, damage — different judges may emphasize differently. Rogan’s point indirectly raises questions of whether criteria were sufficiently transparent or whether some early fights could have gone differently with today’s scoring.
• Rematches / replay culture: Fans often call for rematches or review in controversial fights. But in this case, given the age of the fight and the retirements involved, a rematch is both unlikely and arguably unnecessary.