“Do Bronx” wants Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) to help his former opponent with matchmaking.
Former UFC Lightweight champion Charles Oliveira makes his anticipated return to action next month (Sat., Nov. 16, 2024) at UFC 309 as he rematches former Lightweight title challenger Michael Chandler from inside Madison Square Garden in New York City. The two 155ers met for the vacant Lightweight title at UFC 262 in 2021, with “Do Bronx” winning via TKO (watch highlights).
Prior to fighting Chandler, Oliveira beat Tony Ferguson to earn the title shot. Ferguson has lost six fights in a row since their clash at UFC 256, being finished in four of those fights.
In a recent interview with Guilherme Cruz, Oliveira urged UFC to match Ferguson with someone his age instead of young killers.
“He deserves all the respect in the world just to be fighting still; he deserves a standing ovation for everything he’s done in the UFC,” Oliveira said. “But I think the UFC should also give him some help and put him against someone [around his age] so they can put on a show, and we applaud them.
“The guy doesn’t want to retire,” Oliveira continued. “So, why not get someone with the same vibe to put on a big fight? That would be great. But to put these young kids, kids coming in hungry for attention over a big name like him, that’s a bit complicated. It sucks. The guy is a certain age, and you put him against young kids to fight him? That hurts him a little bit.” h/t MMA Fighting
Oliveria’s idea is great and thoughtful, but there aren’t many guys in the Lightweight and Welterweight division who are 40 years old. In fact, the last four guys, minus Paddy Pimblett, are all over 36 years old, and they all finished Ferguson.
Ferguson teased a retirement after his last loss to Michael Chiesa but has since rescinded his retirement and hopes to return early next year.
“El Cucuy” currently holds the longest losing streak in UFC history.
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