LAS VEGAS – Saimon Oliveira won’t be flying home to celebrate after earning his UFC contract.
Brazil’s Oliveira (18-3) plans on staying in the U.S. after his hard-fought split decision win over Jose Alday at Dana White’s Contender Series 38 on Tuesday in order to maximize his chance to jump in for his promotional debut as soon as possible.
“I’m ready to fight, and I even told my master, if we get this contract, I’m not going back to Brazil,” Oliveira said at the post-fight news conference. “I can stay here. If they call me for next week in the card, I’ll be here, and I said this before and I’ll say it again: I have more to show. I’m ready to fight, just call me up.”
He continued, “I’m not gonna be here looking for strategy, for points, trying to hold up a fight. My idea to come here is to always fight because that’s what I’m good at. That’s what I like. As another Brazilian joins the UFC, there’s gonna be someone because we fight with our hearts in Brazil, so that’s what they’re getting. They’re getting a fighter.”
To see the full interview with Oliveira, check out the video above.
