This Is How Charles Oliveira Can Beat Tony Ferguson

Charles Oliveira vs Tony Ferguson is one of the most awaited fights as a tumultuous year in 2020 draws to a close. Had the fight been taking place just a year ago, Ferguson would’ve been a prohibitive favorite in the pairing. However, given where the two lightweights are in their careers, Oliveira could pull off an upset if he plays his cards right.

Ferguson last stepped inside the Octagon against Justin Gaethje at UFC 249. However, when he came out of it, he wasn’t the same juggernaut who had stacked up to twelve wins in one of the toughest divisions in the UFC. Gaethje showed that despite all his unconventional styles and skills, ‘El Cucuy’ is a human who can be defeated by fighting the correct fight.

Without a doubt, Oliveira isn’t the same hard-hitting pressure fighter as Gaethje. However, ‘Do Bronx’ presents his share of threats to Oliveira. If the Brazilian wants to defeat Ferguson, he can look up to the game plan that Gaethje implemented to perfection and modify it as per his skill set.

Charles Oliveira will have to pile up the damage on Tony Ferguson

Tony Ferguson brings with him a fighting style that relies heavily on forward pressure. He prefers to keep his opponents on the back foot. While the style has paid off more than not, it also leaves him susceptible to the opponent’s punches.

If Charles Oliveira wants to grab the biggest win of his career, he has to keep tagging Ferguson from the get-go. There have been instances when Ferguson’s opponents (remember Anthony Pettis) have landed that one big punch on him. However, they couldn’t finish him. This is what Gaethje did differently. He kept landing bombs one after the other for over twenty minutes.

However, Oliveira doesn’t have the same power in his gloves as Gaethje does. Therefore, he will have to resort to his proven methods of submission.

To hang in there with Ferguson, a massive gas tank is almost a mandatory prerequisite. Hence, if the initial plan of piling the damage is successful, Oliveira can look to take the fight to the ground and submit ‘El Cucuy’.

Having entered his thirties in a lightweight division whose champ’s status is uncertain, Oliveira’s window to rise to the top is wide open right now. If he wins against Justin Gaethje, he will make a strong claim for entering the title mix.

Read More: UFC 256- Tony Ferguson vs Charles Oliveira: Prediction and Analysis