A lot of controversy has followed Alex “Cowboy” Oliveira around, starting with the weigh-ins before UFC Fight Night 96, culminating with his fight against Wlil Brooks.
It started with the weigh-ins prior to UFC Fight Night 96, where Oliveira weighed five pounds more that the lightweight weight limit at 161 pounds (maximum for lightweight is 156). That weigh-in snafu caused Oliveira’s opponent, Will Brooks, to comment on the lack of professionalism from the Brazilian fighter.
Fast forward to UFC Fight Night 96, where Oliveira soundly defeated Brooks by a third round TKO, even managing to injure the rib cage of Brooks in the bout. Following the finish of Brooks, Oliveira directed a 'crotch chop' at Brooks followed by a few other gestures, which caused the fans to jeer the fighter and raise the ire of Brooks in the process as well.
Oliveira spoke with MMA Junkie after the fight and this is what he had to say about his post-fight antics towards Brooks.
“I think that he deserved even more, I was happy for the win, but I was choked on it – on all the disrespect he showed me yesterday – and it ended up coming out” said Oliveira.
Oliveira even took a little time to address the situation where he missed weight by five pounds, the original topics that drew the annoyance of Brooks.
“I’ve never not made weight in my life, and I’ve also never had this happen to me in my life,” Oliveira said. “I’d like to apologize to my fans and him and his team. I was choking on it, and it happened, but I really feel sorry.”
Oliveira scored what may be considered the biggest win thus far in his professional MMA career when he defeated the former Bellator Lightweight Champion Brooks, but it may be his post-fight antics that fans remember most.
