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Highlight reel KO in UFC debut
Oliveira defeated Bernardo Sopaj via KO (flying knee) at 4:41 of Round 3 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
As the old saying goes, it's not how you start, it's how you finish. Oliveira started terribly in this fight, struggling with the wrestling game and all-around pressure of his opponent. There was little reason to believe he would be able to get things on track, but Sopaj gassing out, seemingly in an instant, certainly played a massive hand in helping Oliveira turn things around. He dominated the latter stages of Round 2 and all of Round 3 before putting Sopaj away with a beautiful flying knee which will almost certainly earn him a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus (later confirmed by UFC President Dana White, along with another $50,000 Fight of the Night check).The Brazilian needs to work on learning how to fight a full 15 minutes, but he walked away with the victory he came to Vegas seeking.
As the old saying goes, it's not how you start, it's how you finish. Oliveira started terribly in this fight, struggling with the wrestling game and all-around pressure of his opponent. There was little reason to believe he would be able to get things on track, but Sopaj gassing out, seemingly in an instant, certainly played a massive hand in helping Oliveira turn things around. He dominated the latter stages of Round 2 and all of Round 3 before putting Sopaj away with a beautiful flying knee which will almost certainly earn him a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus (later confirmed by UFC President Dana White, along with another $50,000 Fight of the Night check).The Brazilian needs to work on learning how to fight a full 15 minutes, but he walked away with the victory he came to Vegas seeking.
New location, new opponent
Oliveira (undisclosed) is scheduled to compete against Bernardo Sopaj in a bantamweight fight at UFC Vegas 87 on March 2, per Guilherme Cruz of MMAFighting.com.
ANALYSIS
UFC Saudi Arabia became UFC Vegas 87, and Yanis Ghemmouri withdrew from the fight. Bernardo Sopai, a UFC newcomer 11-2 in his MMA career, volunteered to compete against Oliveira on short notice.
UFC Saudi Arabia became UFC Vegas 87, and Yanis Ghemmouri withdrew from the fight. Bernardo Sopai, a UFC newcomer 11-2 in his MMA career, volunteered to compete against Oliveira on short notice.
To debut in Saudi Arabia
Oliveira will take on Yanis Ghemmouri in a bantamweight matchup at UFC Saudi Arabia on March 2, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Oliveira was last seen earning his UFC contract via Dana White's Contender Series last September, when he defeated Victor Madrigal via first-round stoppage. Prior to that, he had been competing under the banner of UAE Warriors, where he won five of his last six bouts leading up to his DWCS opportunity. He now draws "The Desert Warrior", who lost his UFC debut by third-round TKO last September.
Oliveira was last seen earning his UFC contract via Dana White's Contender Series last September, when he defeated Victor Madrigal via first-round stoppage. Prior to that, he had been competing under the banner of UAE Warriors, where he won five of his last six bouts leading up to his DWCS opportunity. He now draws "The Desert Warrior", who lost his UFC debut by third-round TKO last September.
Earns contract with emphatic KO
Oliveira defeated Victor Madrigal via KO/TKO (left hook) at 3:02 of Round 1 at Dana White's Tuesday Night Contender Series. After the show, he was one of six fighters to be awarded an official UFC contract.
ANALYSIS
Oliveira's aggression and power have made him a force to be reckoned with regionally, but that aggression almost cost him early on, as he was frequently overswinging and leaving himself off balance. This was until a particularly clever moment when he snuck a hook behind his overhand countershot, which left his opponent stiff on the canvas. Oliveira has the athleticism to go with his power punching and leg kicks, but he will need to iron out his wildness if he wants to make inroads in a division as competitive as bantamweight.
Oliveira's aggression and power have made him a force to be reckoned with regionally, but that aggression almost cost him early on, as he was frequently overswinging and leaving himself off balance. This was until a particularly clever moment when he snuck a hook behind his overhand countershot, which left his opponent stiff on the canvas. Oliveira has the athleticism to go with his power punching and leg kicks, but he will need to iron out his wildness if he wants to make inroads in a division as competitive as bantamweight.