Just days away from his 38th birthday, former UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira will step into the cage for the 48th time in his professional career.
“Do Bronx” is set to take on Mateusz Gamrot on Saturday in the main event of UFC Fight Night 261, which takes place in his home country of Brazil, specifically at Farmasi Arena in Rio de Janeiro. Many might see UFC Fight Night 261 as the perfect stage for Oliveira (35-11 MMA, 23-11 UFC) to cap off his lengthy career. However, despite his age and almost two decades of professional fighting, Oliveira says he has no intentions to hang up the gloves.
“Look, listen, the retirement talk is in your guys’ head,” Oliveira told MMA Junkie in Portuguese. “I’ve never said anything about retiring. Not a moment I’ve talked bout retirement, but in every interview I get asked. I don’t know if I’m fighting bad or if you guys want me to retire. I don’t know what’s happening. Every interview I give, people talk ‘retirement, retirement.’ At no point have I ever thought or contemplated about that, but all the questions are the same. I’m not thinking about it.”
Oliveira was originally scheduled to take on veteran Rafael Fiziev, who suffered an injury and was replaced by Gamrot (25-3 MMA, 8-3 UFC). It’s a drastic change for the Brazilian, but one he was completely fine with just to get to fight in front of his people.
“The truth is that they’re two completely different styles, but it doesn’t matter who it is,” Oliveira said. “I’m happy to fight, and I’m ready for this fight.”
Brazil has been good to Oliveira in terms of fighting. Oliveira has fought 17 times on home soil, and he’s won all 17 fights. He’s well aware of his record in his home country and intends to keep it unbeaten at UFC Fight Night 261.
“Yes, I was aware of that. Every fight in Brazil is a win,” Oliveira said. “I’m very happy to have won all my fights at home, and I hope it continues.”
