Some breaking news has come in tonight on the UFC front. ESPN’s Brett Okamoto was first to report this evening that the promotion is finalizing a big time lightweight matchup between Tony Ferguson (25-4) and Charles Oliveira (29-8, 1 NC).
The fight will take place on December 12th at UFC 256. This fight is a much needed addition to the UFC 256 card that has seen two title fights erased from the card due to injuries. Ferguson was originally calling for a fight with Michael Chandler on that card.Â
However, Chandler countered offering to fight Ferguson in January. Ferguson came back to the UFC and said that he wanted to fight in December and they found a willing opponent in Charles Oliveira.
Ferguson hasn’t fought since he lost to Justin Gaethje back in May. Prior to that loss, Ferguson hadn’t lost since 2012. The former interim UFC lightweight champion has remained the boogey man of the division for a reason.
This is a massive opportunity for Charles Oliveira. Oliveira has always been looked at as someone with tremendous talent, but he never quite put everything together. Well, he’s currently on a seven fight winning strike that has found him ranked sixth in the UFC‘s lightweight division.
UFC 256 lightweight showdown
This is such a fantastic matchup for the UFC 256 card. It’s a good fight and a fun fight stylistically. If you look at the skillset of both men, the fight on paper would favor the former UFC interim champion, Tony Ferguson.
You have to imagine that Ferguson will have the advantage on the feet. Ferguson is extremely slick on the ground, however, on the ground is where Oliveira is likely going to have the advantage.
If this fight touches the mat, I’m expecting some very entertaining reversals and scrambles. On the feet, I think these two are going to scrap. UFC 256 needed a banger and it got a good one in Tony Ferguson – Charles Oliveira.