Oliveira has always had the talent, whether competing at 155 or 145 pounds. Yet he’s still surprised some people with his recent run, perhaps because he’s finally showing the consistency he lacked early in a UFC career that began more than 10 years ago with a submission win over Darren Elkins in August 2010.
“Some of the fights I lost in the UFC were because of my mistakes and because of my previous team’s mistakes,” said Oliveira. “When I fought against Donald Cerrone (in 2011), I was one hundred percent ready to fight anyone, but it wasn’t the moment to fight him. Donald Cerrone was a top guy at that time, and I had just arrived in the UFC, so the experience mattered a lot. When I fought Cub Swanson, 15 minutes before the fight, I tore a ligament in my knee. I kept saying I wanted to do it and I couldn’t even stand. So some fights I feel that I shouldn’t have fought. I think I would have had a better record. Other fights I accepted at the wrong time. But I’m happy to have had the fights I had.”
UFC 256 EMBEDDED: Episode 1 | Episode 2 | Episode 3
That experience has made him who he is today, and that’s a legitimate title threat at 155 pounds. And to think, as he approaches his 27th UFC bout, he’s only 31 and possibly in his physical prime as a fighter.
