Charles Oliveira knew he would eventually be fighting for UFC gold.
Oliveira entered the UFC back in 2010 as a young Brazilian who a ground specialist. During his run in the UFC, he had some setbacks to the likes of Jim Miller, Donald Cerrone, Cub Swanson, Frankie Edgar, and Max Holloway. Many thought he quit in some of those fights, but after a permanent stay at lightweight, he has been phenomenal.
The Brazilian is riding an eight-fight winning streak and gets to fight for UFC gold on Saturday and he says he never lost doubt he would get a title shot. Entering 2020, he wasn’t even in the top-10 at lightweight but back-to-back wins over Kevin Lee and Tony Ferguson earned him the title shot.
“No, I never had a doubt,” Oliveira said at the UFC 262 press conference. “I knew someday I would get it, and I knew someday I was going to be fighting for this title.”
If Oliveira beats Michael Chandler in the main event of UFC 262, he knows it would cement his legacy. He already has the most submissions in UFC history, and the second most bonuses, so he believes adding UFC champion would solidify his legacy.
“It ‘s about legacy,” Oliveira explained. “I have the most submissions, I have the second most bonuses in the company, and I want to prove that I can hang with these guys. It’s about legacy.”
Although Oliveira is confident he will not only beat but finish Chandler, he knows the three-time Bellator champ is dangerous.
“Michael is a super tough guy. He deserves all the respect in the world,” Oliveira said. “He was a champion in Bellator and has a great history. He hits hard on the feet, and he’s got wrestling, so for sure he’s coming in ready for the fight. But like I said, I also enter 100 percent ready to fight and go to war.”
