LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Aleksei Oleinik[/autotag] thinks he’s a tough fight for anyone in the heavyweight division.
He takes on [autotag]Maurice Greene[/autotag] on Saturday on the main card at UFC 246 and will be entering the cage with a big experience advantage.
Oleinik (57-13-1 MMA, 6-4 UFC) is the first fighter in MMA history to have fought professionally in four different decades, from the 1990s all the way to 2020.
“Ultimate Fighter” alum Greene is off to a 3-1 start to his UFC career, andhas a big opportunity ahead of him in a notable name in Oleinik. But Oleinik warns he is a stern outing for anyone that gets in there with him.
“He’s young, he’s very big, and he’s very hungry for a win,” Oleinik told MMA Junkie on Thursday. “But I think I’m not an easy guy for any opponent. Maurice Greene, guys from the top 20, top 10 or even top five – I’m not an easy opponent for any guys.”
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Oleinik has been stopped in his last two outings. He suffered a broken leg in his most recent loss to Walt Harris in July, which lasted only 12 seconds. He landed awkwardly after being dropped.
“I broke my leg in my last fight, and it was (surprising) for me, for the doctors, and for my opponent because he didn’t touch my leg,” Oleinik said. “He punched me in my head, I (got) knocked down, and my leg stayed not very correctly on the ground, and (it was) just broken and I had pain (and) shock. Doctors, hospitals, everything – this wasn’t a very good experience.”
He dismissed any retirement rumors, though, and the 42-year-old Oleinik is happy to inspire others that with a strong mind, you can keep trucking.
“I show young guys, young sportsmen, and many fans of mixed martial arts and the whole world you can do it (at) 18 years,” he said. “You can do it at 25. You can do it at 30, 35, 40, and more than 40 years. You can fight in the highest level. (It’s) not important how much you have money (or) how old are you. More important (is) your mentality, and how strong inside your heart and your soul.”
UFC 246 takes place Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas with a 12-fight main card set to air on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and ESPN+/UFC Fight Pass.