Culibao Reflects on Split Decision Loss at UFC 305: “I Still Felt I Won”
In a dramatic night at UFC 305, Sydney’s own Joshua Culibao faced off against Ricardo Ramos in a bout that left many fans and analysts scratching their heads. The fight, which took place on the preliminary card of the event held in Perth, Australia, was as thrilling as it was contentious.
Culibao, who had previously tasted victory in Perth at UFC 284 with a submission win over Melsik Baghdasaryan, found himself on the losing end for the second time in a row. This latest defeat followed back-to-back losses to Lerone Murphy and Danny Silva, marking his first career skid. His latest fight was a nail-biter, and the split decision loss to Ramos has only added fuel to the fire.
The bout was fiercely competitive, with Culibao appearing to be in control early on. However, as the fight wore on, Ramos managed to mount a comeback that kept the judges on their toes. The split decision that ultimately favored Ramos has been a topic of heated discussion among fans and commentators alike. Some critics pointed to Culibao’s showboating during the fight as a possible factor in the judges’ decision, suggesting it might have cost him the win.
In a heartfelt post-fight statement, Culibao addressed his fans and critics alike. He acknowledged the strength of his opponent, Ramos, and expressed regret that he couldn’t secure the victory. Despite his disappointment, Culibao maintained a positive outlook, emphasizing his dedication to entertaining the Australian crowd.
“It is what it is, hats off to you @ricardoramosmma you brought the fight and made a great dance partner,” Culibao wrote on social media. “Sorry to all my fans and supporters out there. I couldn’t get it done. I felt I still won the fight but that’s not up to me to decide. Glad I still got to go out and perform and put on a show for the Aussie crowd.”
Culibao’s performance at UFC 305 has left many pondering his future in the promotion. With the potential of a winless year looming, the fighter’s trajectory is uncertain. His previous winless year in 2020 saw him stopped by Jalin Turner and fighting to a split draw with Charles Jourdain, a year marked by struggle and resilience.
As Culibao prepares to regroup and refocus, fans and analysts will be keenly watching to see what’s next for the Australian featherweight. Will he bounce back from this setback and reclaim his winning ways, or will the weight of consecutive losses continue to challenge his career?
