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Alex Oliveira will be looking to turn over a new leaf later tonight (Sat., July 25, 2020) at UFC on ESPN 14 live on ESPN/ESPN+ from inside Flash Forum on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, as “Cowboy” takes on veteran welterweight Peter Sobotta on the ESPN main card.
Fight fans have grown accustomed to seeing Oliveira compete as a member of the lightweight and welterweight division over the past five years, turning in countless wars inside of the Octagon. “Cowboy” has become a true company man and has managed to produce a 10-6 (1 NC) UFC record along the way.
Despite his double-digit wins and numerous post-fight bonus awards, Oliveira still believes he can accomplish more as a member of the UFC roster. The 32-year-old Brazilian simply hasn’t had the right mindset and dedication inside and out of the cage to take the next step in his career. “Cowboy” is hoping this weekend’s tilt with Sobotta on “Fight Island” will prove that he’s a more focused fighter and capable of climbing the rankings towards a title shot.
“I went through a time where I was an athlete, but a very emotional one,” Oliveira told Combate. “It took awhile for me earn a shot to fight in the UFC. When that shot came, a lot of stuff came with it. New friendships, a lot of partying, you know? I felt like the man of the hour. I was pretty conformed, relaxed. I stopped being an athlete and became a slacker. When I noticed that, I thought to myself: ‘That’s not Alex, that’s the Cowboy’. I talked to my master and he told me: ‘You have the mind of a champion, you can be one of the best. What’s going on?’ We talked a lot, I really matured in this aspect of MMA. I have to think with the mind of a champion. That’s my mindset now.”
Olivera, who will be competing overseas for just the second time in his professional career, is coming off a split decision win over Max Griffin this past March. That victory snapped a three-fight losing skid for Oliveira, which remains the worst losing streak of the Brazilian’s MMA journey. In order to keep things rolling into the final stretch of 2020 Oliveira must get past Sobotta and showcase his revamped skills, which have always been serviceable inside of the cage.
“The pressure is still the same,” Oliveira said. “It’s not because I won one fight by decision that I feel comfortable. I still feel the pressure, that thirst to win, like everyone who wants to reach the top. We might stumble along the way, but you can’t let that stop you. I still feel the pressure to really show everyone I can still be one of the best fighters in the world. I was in the top 15, it really bothered me when I got pushed out. I don’t feel relaxed anymore, I’ve been looking to train at other gyms. I didn’t like to work out, but I’ve been working out a lot. We learn from our mistakes. I learned a lot from mine. I need to show the world I have the mindset of a champion.”
What do you think, fight fans? Can Oliveira string some wins together and crack the welterweight top 15 again?
Let’s hear it!
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