Charles Oliveira has achieved rather a lot in his blended martial arts profession, however he’s nonetheless simply as hungry as ever.
‘Do Bronx’ already is aware of what it feels wish to have the light-weight world title wrapped round his waist. This Saturday evening, he hopes to expertise deja vu when he squares off with former featherweight king Ilia Topuria at UFC 317 in Las Vegas, the winner rising as the brand new 155-pound champion.
With 35 profession wins and his legacy as essentially the most prolific finisher in UFC historical past already secured, some have questioned whether or not or not Oliveira has something left to show contained in the Octagon.
Arguably, no, however that doesn’t imply the Brazilian isn’t decided to retake the light-weight throne. Even when it means going via some of the harmful fighters in all of MMA.
“I don’t struggle to show something to anybody anymore,” Oliveira stated throughout Wednesday’s UFC 317 media day. “I struggle for myself, for my very own self-worth. Nothing has modified. I’m nonetheless hungry. I’m nonetheless thirsty. I nonetheless wish to make historical past. This can be a large struggle for my legacy. I’m prepared for it.”
“I’ve been marked by quite a lot of resiliency, being discredited. Now I’m going through a man who’s youthful, undefeated, and hungry. However is he hungrier than me? Does he need it greater than me?”
One thing’s received to provide when Charles Oliveira clashes with Ilia Topuria
Over his 15-year profession, Oliveira has smashed his approach via a number of the greatest names within the recreation. Justin Gaethje, Dustin Poirier, Michael Chandler, Tony Ferguson, and Kevin Lee, simply to call a number of. Alongside the way in which, he’s amassed 20 profession finishes — essentially the most of any fighter in UFC historical past — with 16 submissions and 4 KOs.
After all, Topuria is not any stranger to highlight-reel finishes. In his final two outings, ‘El Matador’ put away maybe the 2 greatest featherweights within the historical past of the division, Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway. He’s additionally choked out Bryce Mitchell, ground-and-pounded Ryan Corridor, and despatched Damon Jackson packing lower than half a spherical into their Battle Night time conflict 5 years in the past.
Clearly, one thing’s received to provide when Topuria and Oliveira collide on MMA’s greatest stage throughout Worldwide Battle Week.
