‘Unpredictable’ Alex Oliveira ready to ‘beat up’ Will Brooks at UFC Fight Night 96

Former Bellator lightweight champion Will Brooks is going for his second UFC win Saturday night at the Moda Center in Portland, but Alex Oliveira is planning on ruining his plans with a knockout.

Back to the lightweight division following a win over welterweight James Moonstari in July, "Cowboy" Oliveira – who missed weight by 5.5 pounds on Friday morning – is happy with the chance of facing another top ranked athlete inside the Octagon.

"I was really happy because the UFC recognizes my work and keeps giving me high-level opponents," Oliveira told MMA Fighting. "The opportunity is unique and if you let it go, it’s gone. I’m really happy. Let’s beat this guy up."

Brooks enters the bout riding a nine-fight winning streak, but the Brazilian says that he hasn’t been beaten recently only because he hasn’t fought him yet.

"He’s really tough, but he hasn’t fought me. Let’s battle Saturday and put on a great fight," Oliveira said. "He likes to strike and he never stops coming forward, and that’s what I do. I’m well trained and ready to fight standing and on the ground. I hope he does his best in there because I’m ready to give him my 100 percent."

The American Top Team fighter beat Ross Pearson by unanimous decision in his UFC debut back in July, and even though some fans didn’t seem impressed by his first performance in the Octagon, "Cowboy" enjoyed the fight.

"He fought well, in my opinion," he said. "It was his first UFC fight so maybe he was a bit nervous, so let’s see how he fights now against me. I’m a cool guy. I want him to feel comfortable so we can put on a good fight. That’s what matters to me."

The Brazilian currently holds a 4-2 UFC record with a pair of stoppage victories, and foresees himself finishing Brooks in devastating fashion in front of the Portland crowd.

"I’ll put my hands in his face. That’s it. A knockout," Oliveira said. "He will come to stand against me, and my hands are heavy."

Brooks trains full-time at American Top Team, and Oliveira did part of some of his previous camps at his gym in the United States. The Brazilian doesn’t recall ever training with the former Bellator champion before, though, and isn’t worried about the fact that Brooks had the chance to train with fighters who have sparred with him in the past.

"I’m not worried because my game is complicated to study, it’s too unorthodox," Oliveira said. "Nobody knows if I’m coming for takedowns or to stand. I’m unpredictable. I know he will be scared in there against me because I’m focused, and this is my time to be ranked among the best."