UFC On Fox 2 Fight Card Primer: Charles Oliveira Vs. Eric Wisely

by Matthew Roth on Jan 28, 2012 1:30 PM EST in UFC Event

CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 27: (L-R) Featherweight opponents Charles Oliveira and Eric Wisely face off after weighing in during the UFC on FOX official weigh in at the Chicago Theatre on January 27, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Charles Oliveira; Eric Wisely

UFC on Fox 2 features a fantastic clash at featherweight between Charles Oliveira (14-2 (1); 2-2 (1) UFC) and Eric Wisely (19-6; 0-0 UFC). This fight is a part of the Fuel TV prelim card. Though neither fight is currently ranked at featherweight on the USA Today / MMA Nation Consensus MMA Rankings, there was a time when Charles Oliveira was considered a highly touted prospect at lightweight.The Fuel TV prelims begin this Saturday, January 28 at 5 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. PT, with the main card following on Fox at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT.

Featherweight is quickly becoming a weight class with a huge gap in talent between the champion and the rest of the division. Because of this, the UFC is waiting for fighters to step up and become a legitimate challenge to Jose Aldo's belt. With an impressive win on Saturday night, either fighter could find themselves in the top 25 of the division and one step closer to a title shot.

How do these two stack up?

Oliveira: 22 years old | 5'10"

Wisely: 27 years old | 5'8"

What have these two done recently?

Oliveira: L - Donald Cerrone (TKO) | NC - Nik Lentz (NC) | L - Jim Miller (SUB)

Wisely: W - Brandon Girtz (TKO) | L - Pat Healy (UD) | W - Lance Wipf (SD)

How did these two get here?

Charles Oliveira entered the UFC as an undefeated prospect with twelve wins, eleven which came by stoppage. After two slick submission wins over Darren Elkins and Efrain Escudero, Oliveira's hype train was derailed by a kneebar loss at the hands of Jim Miller. His rear naked choke win over Nik Lentz was over turned due to an illegal knee which resulted in a no-contest. His final fight at lightweight was a first round shellacking from Donald Cerrone. After the fight Oliveira stated he intended to drop to featherweight.

Eric Wisely is finally making his UFC debut after years on the regional circuit. His fight against Pat Healy was at a Strikeforce Challengers event so Wisely is familiar with the way that Zuffa runs a show. In 2010 he became the man to retire Hermes Franca from MMA. The retirement turned into a short hiatus as Franca returned nine months later to face Wisely again, only to lose for a second time.

Why should you care?

Do Bronx was a much hyped prospect thanks to his aggression and speed but it was only a matter of time before his size disadvantages caught up with him. Now we get a glimpse at his real potential against a stiff challenger who tore up the regional scene in the midwest.

More UFC on Fox 2 preview coverage from Bloody Elbow after the jump.

SBN coverage of UFC on Fox 2

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Comments

I think you’re being generous saying it was size disadvantages that cost Oliveira against Miller and Cerone. He looked to simply be outclassed by Cerone and his tendency to put aggression over technique was really exposed against a crafty guy like Miller.

not sure if these pics will work, and the angles aren’t great anyway, but from the weigh-in staredowns from Cerone and Miller he doesn’t look like he’s fighting above his weight really:

Getting bent out of shape over a fight promoter lying is like getting upset that a hooker won't kiss you. It betrays a deep lack of understanding of the nature of the profession.

by Stanlee on Jan 28, 2012 2:00 PM EST reply actions