Brazilian fighter Charles ‘Do Bronx’ Oliveira (14-2, 1NC) is set to drop weight classes and will make his debut in the UFC’s featherweight division at the end of this month at the UFC on FOX 2 card against newcomer Eric Wisely (19-6).
Oliveira had resisted a move to 145-lbs after fourteen straight wins, including two in the Octagon, but after going 0-2 (1NC) in his last three fights, the fighter opted to change his mind.
Speaking to Tatame.com, ‘Do Bronx’ talked about making the decision to move weight classes as well as his expectations for newcomer Wisely.
Previously, you said you wouldn’t drop because it was already hard to cut weight for the lightweight division. Why did you change your mind?
Everybody saw that when I fought on the lightweight division I didn’t quit against anyone and I said I couldn’t drop because it’s already hard on me. But the truth is that I’ve always been the tiniest fighters of the division, I was always there trading punches with the guys and when I hit them it seemed that it didn’t hurt them, and when they hit me, I got hurt. But, since it was working out, I decided to stay on the division. After my first loss, me, Erick (Cardozo) and Macaco (Jorge Patino) sat down and I asked them what they thought about me dropping. I had two options: I could do a serious work with nutritionists and take more supplements to get bigger or I could drop to the featherweight division and would cut weight. I was scared of gaining much muscles for the lightweight division and get slower, losing my main characteristic. It was then that we decided I should drop to the featherweight and cut weight like all fighters do and since I would gain muscles and start to get slower otherwise, and that’s not what I want. So that’s how we got to this conclusion. Get bigger to remain on the division or drop and that’s why I decided to do. I won’t get bigger and I’ll drop.
You’re fighting Eric Wisely at UFC on FOX 2. He’s an experienced guy but, at the same time, he’ll be debuting on the UFC. Will you take advantage of that?
I compare it to what happened to me. When I debuted in the UFC I had blood on my eyes, I really wanted to win, I was thirsty, wanting to move forwards all the time. If he’s like that, I know it’ll be a tough fight. I’m coming from a loss and I don’t wanna lose again. I’m going for the win, I’ll move forwards the entire time, it doesn’t matter who’s on the other side, it doesn’t matter if he’s gonna be tough. To me, it’s a very important fight. I’m not under pressure. The only pressure I’m under is my own because I want to win it one way or another. I’ll walk forwards, show my work and if Eric comes liked that, like I was on the beginning, on my first fight, it’ll be a great bout. But yeah, I’ll take advantage of it, because I fought five times on Ultimate, I’ve lived many things in there. UFC is a unique show and if he doesn’t get amazed by all that it’ll be a good fight. I’ll used a little of what I’ve learned on the UFC, what it is and what it is not. I’ll use my experience and with God’s help I’ll get off there with a win.