Thiago Moises draws inspiration from Charles Oliveira ahead of UFC Winnipeg: ‘I have everything it takes to win the UFC belt’
Thiago Moises has gained nearly half of his UFC bouts since becoming a member of the promotion in 2018. He is aware of some would name him loopy for saying it, however he is nonetheless assured that sooner or later he’ll have the light-weight belt wrapped round his waist.
Moises hasn’t had it straightforward, from debuting on quick discover towards Beneil Dariush to going through the likes of Islam Makhachev and Benoit Saint-Denis. He has collected large wins as properly, defeating King Green, Alexander Hernandez, Michael Johnson and a last-minute substitute Melquizael Costa.
With all that have beneath his belt, he appears to be like at former champion Charles Oliveira as motive to consider ahead of Saturday’s UFC Winnipeg conflict with Gauge Young.
“Charles is a beast,” Moises advised MMA Fighting. “I’m a huge fan of his. I drew a lot of inspiration from him too because he had an inconsistent run in the UFC and then turned things around. I really look up to that and want to make a comeback in my own career as well.”
Oliveira had solely 10 wins in his first 19 UFC appearances earlier than kicking off the streak that culminated in him profitable the 155-pound belt, and once more rebounded from defeats to Makhachev and Ilia Topuria to not too long ago seize the “BMF” belt. Moises has a UFC report of 8-7 going into UFC Winnipeg, and feels it’s his time.
“Now it’s time to get in there and put on a strong performance,” Moises stated, “Beat Gauge Young convincingly, keep winning, and I believe I have everything it takes to win the UFC belt. I have experience, I have technique. It’s just about going in with the right mindset.”
“People might say, ‘Man, you’re crazy, you’re coming off a loss to Jared Gordon,’ but I believe in myself, I believe in my potential” he added. “I know I have what it takes to get there.”
Moises deliberate on reserving one other fighter sooner after a first-round knockout loss to Gordon in May 2025, however loved the day without work to be shut to household for the delivery of his first daughter after which he made a full-time transfer to Sao Paulo.
“This was the best training camp I’ve ever had in my life,” Moises stated. “I’m very happy here in Brazil, very happy with my team at Fighting Nerds, happy with my daughter and being close to my family. On weekends I go to the countryside of São Paulo, to my parents’ house, and I can switch off and recharge.”
“[My daughter] gives me extra motivation,” he added. “I wouldn’t call it pressure, but more like gratitude, you know? I see it more as gratitude, as an added joy. My coaches and I are on the same page and I had excellent training partners for this fight. And when you add my daughter, that feeling of gratitude from being close to family, everything comes together. When you’re happy in your personal life, close to family, with that support, you train happier, your training improves. it’s all connected.”
Young scored his first octagon victory with a call over Maheshate in August 2025, enhancing to 1-1 in the promotion. Moises has extra appearances in the UFC than Young has general bouts in his whole MMA profession, however he does not see that as a motive to overlook his opponent’s talents.
“He doesn’t have much experience, but he’s a big challenge for my career,” Moises stated. “I’ve already faced top strikers, some of the best in the UFC, so there’s nothing he can bring that I haven’t seen before from opponents or training partners. But he’s very technical and wants to make a name for himself, which makes him dangerous. He’s young, 25 years old, so that youth and hunger are probably his biggest weapons.”
