BY MICHAEL OWENS
Geordie featherweight Andy Ogle will face a tough fight to secure his UFC future against Charles Oliveira in February.
‘The Little Axe’ will look to rebound from a deflating decision loss to Cole Miller in Manchester at UFC Fight Night 30.
‘Do Bronx’ is coming off a loss of his own, but he picked up a $50,000 fight of the night bonus against former lightweight champion, Frankie Edgar.
This bout could be make or break for Ogle, who has a 1-2 UFC record. He was unlucky to end up on the wrong side of a decision against Akira Corassani last September but fight fans’ memories are short and his good performance in that defeat is unlikely to count for much if he loses another fight.
Oliveira’s status in the organisation is probably a lot safer. The Brazilian has a modest 4-4 UFC record with one no-contest, but all of his defeats have been against top-tier opposition. Add to that two fight-of-the-night bonuses and two submission-of-the-night bonuses and you end up with a fighter that UFC matchmaker Sean Shelby will want to keep on the roster.
His record, aggressive striking attack and dynamic submission game also mean he is likely to be a strong favourite over The Ultimate Fighter 15 alum. Not to mention, Oliveira can expect to have a partisan crowd of 7,500 screaming Brazilians backing him in Jaraguá do Sul.
UFC Fight Night 36 is set to take place on February 8.
The following fights have been announced for the event:
Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi
Francis Carmont vs. Ronaldo Souza
Cristiano Marcello vs. Joe Proctor
Viscardi Andrade vs. Nicholas Musoke
Andy Ogle vs. Charles Oliveira
