UFC 256: Charles Oliveira’s utter domination of Tony Ferguson brings title shot one step closer
- Brazilian puts on a masterclass and moves into pole position in lightweight division
- ‘I came in here and you tell me, who’s dominated him like that?’ says Oliveira as he take unanimous decision
Charles Oliveira did the previously unthinkable at UFC 256 on Saturday night, never allowing Tony Ferguson a moment as he completely dominated on the feet and on the ground in taking their lightweight bout via unanimous decision.
Across his stellar 10-year career in the UFC, the legend that is Ferguson had always, at some stage, looked dangerous but Oliveira simply had his measure from the first bell to the last and in winning – all 30-26s on the judges’ scorecards – the No 7-ranked Brazilian placed himself in the title picture, front and centre.
“I was the only guy to accept this fight. I knew it was going to be really tough but 2021, I’m coming,” Oliveira told Joe Rogan in his post-fight interview.
“He’s a champion. I knew he wasn’t going to tap out. I came in here and you tell me, who’s dominated him like that?”
Yeah, no one.
With Russian Khabib Nurmagomedov (29-0) in retirement, the lightweight division is up for grabs and the 31-year-old Oliveira, surging now on a 8-0 run, said his moment had come.