This Saturday Night (February 15, 2014) Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) featherweights Charles Oliveira and Andy Ogle will kick off the main card of UFC Fight Night 36 from Arena Jaragua in Jaragua do Sul, Brazil.
At only 24-years-old, Oliveira already has nine Octagon fights under his belt. "Do Bronx" was last seen dropping a decision to former UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar at UFC 162. Before that, he lost to surging No. 4-ranked contender Cub Swanson. Despite a middling record in UFC, "Do Bronx" has proven he's willing to take on the best in the world.
Ogle, on the other hand, has compiled a subpar record against lesser competition. All three of his fights in the Octagon have gone the distance, with his only win coming against Josh Grispi at UFC on Fuel TV 7. He was last seen losing to Cole Miller at UFC Fight Night 30. "Little Axe" is in dire need of a win if he wants to keep his job.
Pivotal stakes are on the line. Let's take a look at the keys to victory for Oliveira vs. Ogle:
*****
Charles Oliveira
Record: 16-4(1) overall, 4-4(1) UFC
Key Wins: Darren Elkins (UFC on Versus 2), Jonathon Brookins (TUF 15 Finale), Efrain Escudero (UFC Fight Night 22)
Key Losses: Frankie Edgar (UFC 162), Cub Swanson (UFC 152), Jim Miller (UFC 124), Donald Cerrone (UFC on Versus 5)
*****
Andy Ogle
Record: 9-3 overall, 1-2 UFC
Key Wins: Josh Grispi (UFC on Fuel TV 7)
Key Losses: Cole Miller (UFC Fight Night 30), Akira Corassani (UFC on Fuel TV 5)
*****
With three "Submission of the Night" bonuses to his name, Oliveira is one of the featherweight division's most dangerous ground artists. The Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt will be looking to make Ogle his tenth submission victim, but it won't be easy. Ogle has only tapped out once and went the distance with noted submission specialist Miller. "Do Bronx's" kickboxing is beginning to catch up to his mat skills, so overall Ogle should be in for his toughest fight.
The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 15 veteran Ogle needs a win to prove he can compete in UFC. Oliveira has shared the cage with some of the best lightweights in the world, so his experience edge will be massive. Ogle needs to use his kickboxing to stay one step ahead of Oliveira. He has some good chokes but really shouldn't risk going to the ground with Oliveira.
Overall, this bout is not unlike Oliveira's UFC 162 bout with Edgar in that it's unevenly matched on paper. This time around, Oliveira is the overwhelming favorite. He has the potential to become a force at featherweight; he just needs a few consecutive wins to build his confidence after being thrown to the wolves early on in his UFC career.
Ogle is a tough competitor, but he's not quite on the same level as Oliveira. Barring any unforeseen developments, those wins should begin this Saturday night for "Do Bronx".
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