Oliveira excited about UFC 108 challenge.
For the second time in two UFC bouts, Rafaello Oliveira will face a different opponent than the one he was originally supposed to.
Oliveira was supposed to face Dan Lauzon in his UFC debut at UFC 103, but instead faced Nik Lentz. Now, he will transition from preparing for wrestler Sean Sherk to submission specialist John Gunderson.
Despite the switch, Oliveira feels that he is prepared for Gunderson. In fact, his training approach hasn’t really changed.
“I always try to train everything equal,” Oliveira told MMAMadness.com. “You change the game plan. The first fight [with Sherk] was a wrestler, I was focused more on the wrestling, and now the other guy [Gunderson], he is well-rounded.”
Part of what makes Gunderson such a dangerous opponent is that he does not have any glaring deficiencies.
“I really don’t see a lot of weakness,” Oliveira said. “I’m expecting [him] to be a tough opponent.”
When you compare the two fighters on paper, it would appear that Gunderson’s best bet to win is on the ground. Gunderson has ended 11 of his 18 wins by submission, whereas Oliveira has as many knockout wins (three) as submission wins.
Often times though, you have to go beyond the paper to see the true story.
“I think it’s better [for me], this fight, on the ground,” Oliveira said. “I believe in my ground game. I don’t care who I fight, I think my best skill’s on the ground.”
Even with that confidence on the ground, Oliveira has not decided where he wants to take the fight.
“Maybe take him down and pounding him and get the submission, or maybe bang with him, see a little bit if he’s better on the feet,” Oliveira said. “I really don’t have any game plan yet.”
One disadvantage Gunderson might face is the pressure of making his UFC debut. Coming off of his own debut, Oliveira knows what that feeling is like.
The first time, you have a little bit of pressure… sometime’s that’s not good,” Oliveira said. “I had a little bit more experience right now, and I think it’s going to be good for me. I think it’s a huge advantage.”
Oliveira will face pressure of his own in this bout. After losing his UFC debut to Lentz, Oliveira wants to avoid an 0-2 start in the organization.
“It sucks to lose your debut,” Oliveira said. “I still have some pressure and I still know I could do better. You’ve just got to be ready to fight with the pressure all the time.”
At UFC 108, Oliveira will look to put the pressure aside, and even his record in the UFC at 1-1.
