Oliveira Shoots Down Middleweight Move Speculation

Michael Oliveira has no plans to jump to middleweight despite carrying extra weight outside fight camp.

The unbeaten Brazilian welterweight, who improved to 10-0 with a knockout victory in his UFC debut in Serbia, told Sherdog that speculation about his weight-cutting struggles was overblown. Oliveira said his late arrival at the weigh-in led some to assume he had difficulty making 170 pounds, but the process is carefully managed with nutrition specialist Rogerio Camoes, who has worked with Anderson Silva and Ronaldo Souza.

Oliveira Plans Decade at Welterweight

"I make 77 kilograms (170 pounds) without much difficulty, mainly because I work with Rogerio Camoes," Oliveira said, per Sherdog. "He knows exactly what he's doing." Although he entered the cage weighing over 90 kilograms after making the welterweight non-title limit, Oliveira dismissed any suggestion he might follow fighters like Khamzat Chimaev up a division.

The Dana White's Contender Series signee said he intends to compete at welterweight for another nine or 10 years. Oliveira revealed he is targeting a November return but added he will be ready if the UFC calls sooner.

He recorded his ninth knockout in 10 professional fights at UFC Belgrade earlier this year.

Reported via:

• Sherdog — Michael Oliveira has a message for anyone questioning his weight cut