5. Charles Oliveira deserves way better
[autotag]Charles Oliveira[/autotag] (28-8 MMA, 16-8 UFC) is an interesting case. At 30, he’s already been in the UFC for nearly a decade and has had all kinds of experiences – both positive and negative – throughout that run.
Oliveira has undoubtedly faltered in some big spots throughout that time. He’s lost key fights to the likes of Donald Cerrone, Frankie Edgar, Max Holloway and Anthony Pettis, but right now it feels like “Do Bronx” has turned a corner.
If there’s any question that Oliveira is coming into his own, simply see the result of his fight with Jared Gordon. He not only won with strikes (for the second straight fight), but he did it in a mere 86 seconds against an opponent who, while unranked, is a tough guy.
At this point we can put it bluntly: Oliveira needs a big fight. It’s been nearly two years since his last slip-up against Felder, and he’s won and finished six consecutive fights since. Perhaps Oliveira is the guy who will get a marquee matchup and fall short again, but even if that’s the case, he deserves that opportunity.
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