Charles Oliveira hopes to return to the form that he saw 11 straight fights win before he was crowned the UFC Lightweight Champion.
On Saturday, June 28, Charles Oliveira returns to the Octagon when he takes on Ilia Topuria for the empty lightweight title in the UFC 317 Main Event to end the International Vechtweek.
Only a few days from the huge fight in Vegas, it was revealed that colleague 155 pounds will weigh Arman Tsarukyan as the backup, which Oliveira has already defeated on UFC 300.
In anticipation of their collision, Topuria has constantly claimed that he will finish 'Do Bronx', with the same confidence that he saw knockout Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway back-to-back.
Nevertheless, it is the Brazilian who has a large format advantage in this matchup and he hopes to return to the form that he saw 11 fights in a row, including an extreme master class against Tony Ferguson.
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
Charles Oliveira almost tore Ferguson's arm out during Masterclass Performance
Oliveira has one of the more interesting stories in combat sports and throughout his career he has worked tirelessly to reverse his reputation.
In the beginning during his term of office in the UFC, Oliveira got a 'refurbishment', especially after he stopped during his first main event fight against Max Holloway in 2015.
However, it was in 2018 when the Fortuinen of the Brazilian began to turn around and he started an incredible series with an entry victory over Clay Guida.
And after victories over people like Jim Miller and Kevin Lee, 'Do Bronx' was linked to the lightweight Boogeyman, 'El Cucuy' Ferguson.
Ferguson received an interim light weight against Justin Gaethje in 2020 after Khabib Nurmagomedov sustained an injury. Gaethje completely dominated Ferguson and gave him his first loss in 12 fights.
During their UFC 256 Co-Main event, however, things immediately got worse for Ferguson when Oliveira was hungry to score a statement.
The Brazilian immediately showed off with his improved striking and landed several large shots on the chin of Ferguson. And after he had dominated him on the mat for the whole round, Oliveira Ferguson in an arm bar at the end of the round, almost demolished his arm before he was saved by the bell.
The next two rounds played exactly the same as 'Do Bronx' continued to hit completely Ferguson, by getting the unanimous decision and getting themselves a title fight.
Joe Rogan was shocked to see how Ferguson dominated
For a few years, Ferguson was considered one of the best lightweight hunters on the planet, but Oliveira was three rounds completely brutal.
Sitting cagesside, Joe Rogan could not completely believe that the Brazilian made such an easy work by 'El Cucuy' and said, “Look what happens here, oh my God, he may have broken his arm.
“However, Oliveira also dominated him on the feet, what is crazy. Who does this? Who does this? Nobody does this on the ground with Tony Ferguson, this is incredible … How good is this guy?” Rogan continued.
With a win over Topuria on Saturday evening, Oliveira would make UFC history as the first dual UFC Lightweight Champion.