Vinicius Oliveira made a remarkable debut in the UFC at UFC Vegas 87, showcasing his skills and securing a knockout victory against Bernardo Sopaj. Oliveira, who earned his UFC contract with a sensational knockout on the Dana White Contender Series, impressed UFC CEO Dana White, who praised his performance and expressed confidence in Oliveira's potential for big fights.
Originally scheduled to face Yanis Ghemmouri, Oliveira faced Sopaj after Ghemmouri withdrew due to injury. The lead-up to the fight was intense, with both fighters engaging in verbal exchanges during the weigh-in and at the UFC Performance Institute.
Despite a strong start by Sopaj in the first round, Oliveira turned the tide in the second round with a dominant performance. Oliveira's ground strikes and kicks proved effective, leading to a dramatic finish with a perfectly executed flying knee that knocked out Sopaj.
Oliveira's impressive victory earned him not only the win but also accolades from commentators and the UFC, resulting in him receiving both a 'Performance of the Night' bonus and a share of the 'Fight of the Night' bonus. The total of $100,000 in performance awards highlighted Oliveira's exceptional performance at UFC Vegas 87.
The event, held at UFC Apex in Las Vegas, showcased Oliveira's potential in the bantamweight division and solidified his position as a rising star in the UFC. With a professional record of 20-3, Oliveira's knockout victory on March 2nd left a lasting impression on fans and the MMA community, setting the stage for future exciting matchups in his UFC career.
