Rafaello Oliveira: "My fights are always do or die."

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Brazilian Rafaello Oliveira stepped in on short notice to replace an injured Cole Miller against The Ultimate Fighter season 9 finalist Andre Winner at Ultimate Fight Night 21 on March 31 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

"Trator"is coming off of a win over John Gunderson at UFC 108, and is determined to make it two in a row as he seeks to make a name for himself in the UFC's highly competitive lightweight division. Both men are 1-1 in the UFC after losing their debuts, and then bouncing back with wins in their subsequent outing, so the stakes are high in this fight.

Oliveira is a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu with an official MMA record of 10-2 and has a dangerous submission game, although the majority of his career wins come by way of knockout or TKO.

The Steve-O look-alike recently spoke to Tatame.com to discuss training for his up-coming fight with Winner, as well as his thoughts on the lightweight division, and what it's been like for him to live and train in the United States.

You can view the transcribed version of the interview in English below:

How is training going for your next fight?

The training is going well. I'm working on my fitness with Martin Rooney, jiu-jitsu with Shaolin once a week, a lot of striking and wrestling, and I have excellent sparring partners at the AMA Fight Club.

You were asked to fight at short notice. Has this interfered with your preparation?

It's bothered me a little, because I have no time to develop a stronger game plan. And because of where I live, in Knoxville, Tennessee, I don't have many training partners, but I always try to work hard to improve my skills in all areas.

What do you think about your opponent, Andre Winner?

I think Andre Winner is very dangerous as a striker; he has good conditioning and is good at takedown defense. But I'll follow through and bring the victory to Brazil.

He was a finalist on the reality show The Ultimate Fighter, but lost in the final. Did you already know him before?

I did not know him personally, but I always watch the show and I know who he was.

What do you know about his game? What are his strengths and weaknesses?

His strong point is striking. I do not know how good his Jiu-Jitsu is, but I'll work hard to see (laughs).

Have you already prepared your strategy for the fight?

I always try to take the fight into my comfort zone, which is Jiu-Jitsu, but I'm always looking to improve my striking, because you never know how the fight will go. I'll leave it all there, we'll just see who's day it is.

You have one win and one loss in the UFC. Is this fight do or die for you?

I'm coming to win, and I want to improve my name in the UFC. My fights are always do or die. I'll do my best to fight without feeling pressure and make a good fight.

You are from Pernambuco? How long have you lived in the United States?

I'm from Pernambuco, from the beach of Janga. Today I'm in the southern United States, where I've lived for over two years.

You had a few fights in Brazil before moving to the US. How did that go for you?

In fact, I had 11 fights in the Northeast, Pernambuco and Rio Grande do Nortte, but I had some trouble with some promoters, they didn't give me the right information so I couldn't put the right information on Sherdog. I actually have 14 wins and three losses. I was competing in the northeast and had a great fight with Victor Pimenta, who is a tremendous fighter, but I was better that day. After that Mestre Boca invited me to come to Miami to be part of his team along with trainer Eduardo Ferrino. I didn't think twice to pursue my dream and find financial stability for my family. I left my wife and two children in Brazil.

How do you manage yourself to have good training over there?

Where I live there aren't a whole lot of good places to go train, it's more amateur, so I train with Samuel Bragga. People help me, they help me to tighten up my game. When I know the date of my fight, I come to New Jersey to train at AMA Fight Club. We have four fighters in the UFC and excellent training partners: Jimmy Miller, Dan Miller, Charles Brenneman, who just signed, and so on.

Which elite athletes have you trained with in the US?

I have trained with Alessio Sakara, BJ Penn, Kendall Grove, Nick Diaz, Nate Diaz, Yves Edwards, the Miller brothers, Hermes Franca, Adriano Nasal, and Shaolin.

Do you have any plans to move back and train in Brazil?

I love Brazil, but my plans now are to stay here, because I have family and I always need to think of them first. Right now, it is better for me to be here.

You were scheduled to face Takanori Gomi in Affliction, but the event was canceled a week before it happened. Were you disappointed at losing a chance to fight against a guy with a reputation like Gomi?

I was very disappointed at the time, but you have to accept what God gives you. I guess it was not the time, everything happens for a reason.

He (Gomi) will debut the same night you fight. Would you still like to fight him?

I'm never focused on any fighter. Whoever the UFC gives me I'm going to war with (laughs).

Who would you bet on in the fight between Gomi and Kenny Florian?

I'll give it to Florian... Gomi usually folds when he fights in the United States.

How do you see your division?

The 155 lbs class is very tough, wherever you look they are very good. You must train hard and get better every day to get in line for the top.

Do you think Frankie Edgar, the next challenger for the title, has a chance against BJ? How will that fight go?

I think Frank is very slick, having already trained with him. I think he has a chance, yes, but I think it will go the way of BJ. He has heavy hands, sick wrestling and his Jiu-Jitsu us out of this world

Do you dream of a shot at the title?

Dream, yes, for sure, but my goal is to improve as a fighter and build my name in the UFC first. But that is my goal, for sure. I climb the stairs step by step.

Feel free to send a message to your fans in Brazil.

I want to send a hug for all the Brazilian fans who cheer for our sport. A "hello" for you guys in Pernambuco, in particular you guys in Jangamaica (laughs), you guys representing TT NU. A kiss for my old ladies (laughs), and my wife and children. Without you I am nothing.