It’s been a year since Rafaello Oliveira appeared in the UFC. His most recent fight wasn’t a loss, so he wasn’t cut and then asked to return for a fight with Edson Barboza at Saturday’s UFC 162. He is, however, stepping in to replace John Makdessi in a fight most believe he will lose. Oliveira has gotten the axe once before in his time with the UFC, but fought his way back. This time, he aims to pull off a big upset. Unfortunately, the Brazilian’s hands repeatedly have held back his career. The problems started two years ago, when he broke his right hand in a losing effort against Yves Edwards at UFC on Versus 6. He was supposed to fight Reza Madadi next, but re-injured his hand in training. Then he fought Yoislandy Izquierdo despite the same problem. Then he broke his hand two weeks prior to fighting “The Ultimate Fighter 15″ winner Michael Chiesa , and that fight was scratched. An outsider might say Oliveira (15-5 MMA, 2-4 UFC) needs to reconsider his punching technique, get surgery, or take up soccer, but he is proceeding as if the setbacks are temporary distractions from his goal. “I considered surgery, but it wasn’t necessary,” he told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com). “I’m full healed, thankfully
BAD MMA Trending Cloud
UFC • Bellator • Conor Mcgregor • PFL • Jon Jones • Daniel Cormier • Dustin Poirier • Khabib Nurmagomedov • Dana White • Francis Ngannou • Jorge Masvidal • Nate Diaz • Anderson Silva • WSOF • Max Holloway • Ronda Rousey • Alex Pereira • Amanda Nunes • Michael Bisping • Donald Cerrone • Michael Chandler • Kamaru Usman • Tony Ferguson • islam makhachev • Alexander Volkanovski • Henry Cejudo • Jake Paul • Demetrious Johnson • Charles Oliveira • Jose Aldo • One Championship • Aljamain Sterling • sean o'malley • Derrick Lewis • news • Stipe Miocic • sean strickland • Tyron Woodley • Georges St Pierre • Robert Whittaker
- MMA News (114494)
- Jason Jackson def. Andrey Koreshkov at 2025 PFL World Tournament 1: Best photos
- 2025 PFL World Tournament 1 video: Jesus Pinedo throttles Adam Borics for Round 1 TKO
- 2025 PFL World Tournament 1 results: Jason Jackson chokes Andrey Koreshkov unconscious in main event
- 2025 PFL World Tournament 1 video: Thad Jean scores vicious knockout, hollers at Dakota Ditcheva
- 2025 PFL World Tournament 1 video: South Korea’s Tae Kyun Kim bloodies, sleeps Nathan Kelly
- Ignacio Bahamondes doesn’t think Ilia Topuria should get UFC lightweight title shot
- 2025 PFL World Tournament 1: Best photos from Orlando
- Manel Kape vs. Brandon Royval booked for UFC 317
- 2025 PFL World Tournament 1 live and official results
- Dark horse no longer: Sean Woodson fixated on kicking off breakout year at UFC 314