Maria Oliveira and the Realities of Unsteady Footing

Maria Oliveira knew this road was fraught with difficulty, but she chose it anyway.

The 26-year-old Parana Vale Tudo product will attempt to make her tenuous spot in the Ultimate Fighting Championship women’s strawweight division a little more secure when she takes on Diana Belbita as part of the UFC 289 undercard on Saturday at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia. Oliveira owns a 1-2 record across her three appearances inside the Octagon.

“To be in the UFC is to face the best possible opponents,” she told Sherdog.com. “I feel a great sense of accomplishment for being the UFC.” A quick glance at the Oliveira resume since she joined the company in 2021 shows defeats to Tabatha Ricci and Vanessa Demopoulos sandwiched around a split decision victory over Gloria de Paula. “It’s difficult to deal with the occasional loss,” she said. “Despite those setbacks, I never give up, and to be sincere, I did learn more from my losses.”

Oliveira’s forthcoming clash with Belbita carries obvious significance for two women simply trying to get their respective heads above water in the UFC. Belbita, 26, has lost three of her four fights in the promotion. The Romanian operates out of the House of Champions outfit fronted by Alin Halmagean in Stoney Creek, Ontario. Belbita has not competed since she dropped a unanimous verdict to the aforementioned de Paula at UFC Fight Night 201 on Feb. 19, 2022. Oliveira understands a roster spot could be on the line.

“I don’t feel any such pressure,” she said. “Of course, I do realize that whoever loses now might be let go, but I’m not letting that get to me. I’ll just step into the cage and put on a great fight. I’m happy to be facing Diana. I can’t say how the fight will end. I want to bang it out. We both have wins by knockout and submission. I feel our games match up well. Because of our fighting styles, I expect it will end with a knockout.”

While Oliveira wants to fry bigger fish someday, her current emphasis rests solely on establishing some professional stability at 115 pounds. She hopes to avoid returning to the regional scene in her native Brazil.

“I plan to win this next fight so I can be on solid footing in the UFC and renew my contract,” she said. “I’m very much looking forward to it.”