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Joe Rogan: Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Record Has an 'Asterisk'

Originally posted on Dice City Sports | By Robert LaMar | Last updated Sep 11, 2025 12:54 PM ET

Khabib Nurmagomedov is widely regarded as one of the greatest mixed martial artists in history. Retiring in 2020 with a perfect 29-0 record, the former UFC lightweight champion’s resume includes dominant wins over elite names like Conor McGregor, Dustin Poirier, and Justin Gaethje. For many, his unblemished run cements him in the GOAT conversation alongside legends such as Georges St-Pierre and Jon Jones.

The Tibau Question

Still, not everyone views Khabib’s record as flawless. On a recent episode of the JRE Fight Companion, UFC commentator Joe Rogan weighed in on the long-standing debate about Khabib’s 2012 fight with Gleison Tibau.

“I think that’s the one guy that should have beat him,” Rogan said. “If you look at the record, Khabib’s got an undefeated record, (but) there’s an asterisk. That asterisk is Gleison Tibau. That was a very f*cking close fight that I thought Khabib lost, but it was early in Khabib’s career. You know, it was before he won the title.”

Khabib earned a unanimous decision win that night at UFC 148, but the result has remained one of the most debated in his career. Tibau’s takedown defense neutralized Nurmagomedov’s wrestling, leaving many to wonder whether the judges got it right.

Joe Rogan believes Khabib is not undefeated and that he lost to Gleison Tibau

"I think Gleison is the one guy that should’ve beaten him. Khabib’s got an undefeated record — there’s an asterisk, and the asterisk is Gleison Tibau. They had a very f***ing close fight that I… pic.twitter.com/957pzJkVbt

— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) September 9, 2025

A Common Thread Among Greats

While Rogan’s opinion may stir conversation, it doesn’t diminish Khabib’s accomplishments. Even the greatest fighters in history have endured controversial scorecards. St-Pierre’s split decision against Johny Hendricks and Jon Jones’ narrow win over Dominick Reyes are often cited as examples of razor-thin outcomes that fueled debate long after the final horn.

For Khabib, the Tibau fight remains a footnote rather than a blemish. His dominance in later years ensured that no serious rival came close to handing him an official defeat.

Khabib may have retired with perfection intact, but as Joe Rogan points out, even legends have close calls. The Gleison Tibau fight will continue to serve as the “asterisk” in an otherwise flawless record proof that even the most dominant careers aren’t without controversy.

This article first appeared on Dice City Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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