Josh Culibao
Australia
Drops another split decision
Culibao lost to Ricardo Ramos via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 28-29) at UFC 305 on Saturday in Perth, Australia.
ANALYSIS
It's a potential career-defining defeat for Culibao in a fight which could have legitimately gone either way. Josh was extremely fortunate to survive the opening frame after getting caught in a pair of rear-naked choke attempts. Somehow he did, and he then dominated Round 2 and the early portion of Round 3 on the feet. Yet he started to get hit a bit more midway through the final frame and gave up a late takedown which may very well have sealed his fate in the eyes of two of the three judges. The 30-year-old Aussie has now lost three straight dating back to July 2023, with the last two coming via split decision. Perhaps the closeness of the results will earn Culibao another shot, but it's far from guaranteed.
It's a potential career-defining defeat for Culibao in a fight which could have legitimately gone either way. Josh was extremely fortunate to survive the opening frame after getting caught in a pair of rear-naked choke attempts. Somehow he did, and he then dominated Round 2 and the early portion of Round 3 on the feet. Yet he started to get hit a bit more midway through the final frame and gave up a late takedown which may very well have sealed his fate in the eyes of two of the three judges. The 30-year-old Aussie has now lost three straight dating back to July 2023, with the last two coming via split decision. Perhaps the closeness of the results will earn Culibao another shot, but it's far from guaranteed.
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Booked for August
Culibao will fight Ricardo Ramos at UFC 305 on August 17, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
The Australian has lost his past two fights via decision, the first being unaimous decision versus Lerone Murphy and the most recent via split decision against Danny Silva. Culibao will have the shot to break this losing streak and win his first fight of 2024 against Ramos in August.
The Australian has lost his past two fights via decision, the first being unaimous decision versus Lerone Murphy and the most recent via split decision against Danny Silva. Culibao will have the shot to break this losing streak and win his first fight of 2024 against Ramos in August.
Drops decision to heavy opponent
Culibao lost to Danny Silva via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 28-29) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Culibao wasn't terrible, but he certainly didn't look good and likely didn't deserve the victory despite entering as a -200 favorite. Josh was the more consistent, more effective striker throughout the course of the bout, but this fight was a pure brawl from the very start and both men landed plenty of damage. It's also very difficult to win a 15-minute decision when you allow your opponent four takedowns for 5:28 worth of control time. The lone good news for Culibao, who has now lost back-to-back fights, is that he will walk away with a portion of Silva's purse after the latter missed weight by 2.5 pounds Friday morning.
Culibao wasn't terrible, but he certainly didn't look good and likely didn't deserve the victory despite entering as a -200 favorite. Josh was the more consistent, more effective striker throughout the course of the bout, but this fight was a pure brawl from the very start and both men landed plenty of damage. It's also very difficult to win a 15-minute decision when you allow your opponent four takedowns for 5:28 worth of control time. The lone good news for Culibao, who has now lost back-to-back fights, is that he will walk away with a portion of Silva's purse after the latter missed weight by 2.5 pounds Friday morning.
On tap against newcomer
Culibao is scheduled to compete against Danny Silva in a featherweight fight at the UFC's Vegas event on March 16, per Aaron Bronsteter of TSN.ca.
ANALYSIS
Culibao will try to get back into winning ways against Silva, an 8-1 featherweight who made it to the UFC through Dana White's Contender Series. Before losing to Lerone Murphy at UFC London last July 22, Culibao was on a four-fight winning streak.
Culibao will try to get back into winning ways against Silva, an 8-1 featherweight who made it to the UFC through Dana White's Contender Series. Before losing to Lerone Murphy at UFC London last July 22, Culibao was on a four-fight winning streak.
Four-fight unbeaten streak snapped
Culibao lost to Lerone Murphy via unanimous decision (26-30, 26-30, 27-30) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in London.
ANALYSIS
It was a highly disappointing performance from Culibao in a bout in which he entered as a very slight +130 underdog. Josh was much better in the first half of the fight than the second. He appeared to be in it until early in Round 3, at which point a Murphy body kick grazed Culibao's stomach and left him in dire straits the rest of the way. Josh entered with just one knockout loss in his pro career, so it's no surprise he was able to survive the onslaught to see the final bell, but he had no prayer of winning a decision. It snaps a four-fight unbeaten streak for Culibao (3-0-1) and is his first setback since his UFC debut against Jalin Turner in February 2020.
It was a highly disappointing performance from Culibao in a bout in which he entered as a very slight +130 underdog. Josh was much better in the first half of the fight than the second. He appeared to be in it until early in Round 3, at which point a Murphy body kick grazed Culibao's stomach and left him in dire straits the rest of the way. Josh entered with just one knockout loss in his pro career, so it's no surprise he was able to survive the onslaught to see the final bell, but he had no prayer of winning a decision. It snaps a four-fight unbeaten streak for Culibao (3-0-1) and is his first setback since his UFC debut against Jalin Turner in February 2020.
Draws Murphy in London
Culibao will take on Lerone Murphy in a featherweight matchup at UFC London on July 22, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Culibao is 11-1-1 as a professional and currently riding a three-fight winning streak following his February submission victory over Melsik Baghdasaryan. The Australia-born fighter now projects as an underdog when he heads into enemy territory this summary against an England-born fighter on a four-fight winning streak of his own. Culibao trails Murphy in most statistical categories entering this matchup, including striking volume, striking accuracy and offensive wrestling.
Culibao is 11-1-1 as a professional and currently riding a three-fight winning streak following his February submission victory over Melsik Baghdasaryan. The Australia-born fighter now projects as an underdog when he heads into enemy territory this summary against an England-born fighter on a four-fight winning streak of his own. Culibao trails Murphy in most statistical categories entering this matchup, including striking volume, striking accuracy and offensive wrestling.