LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Vinicius Oliveira[/autotag]’s 15th career knockout led to a UFC contract.
Oliveira (19-3) scored a walk-off knockout of Victor Madrigal (12-4) in the first round Tuesday at Dana White’s Contender Series 64.
The former UAE Warriors bantamweight champion has a wealth of experience at just 27, which had UFC CEO White confident that he could be thrown right in the deep end from his octagon debut.
“I feel so good,” Oliveira said during the DWCS 64 post-fight press conference. “This is my dream come true. I’ve been training for this moment since I started martial arts, and I knew it will happen one day– and this day was today.”
Oliveira’s left hook sent Madrigal crashing to the canvas, and the Brazilian is no stranger to highlight reel finishes – but none more special than Tuesday night’s.
“All fights are most important of my career, but this knockout is the most important because I was in the door to get into the UFC. (Because of) this knockout, I was able to get in the UFC.”
Oliveira hasn’t competed in Brazil since 2019, and would love to make his official UFC debut on the Nov. 4 UFC Fight Night card in Sao Paulo.
“I think it’ll be amazing to fight in Brazil, in my country. But if I’m not able to, I’m prepared to fight in any country – like December, November, anywhere,” Oliveira said.
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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for DWCS 64.