Charles Oliveira was looking at channeling his inner Mike Tyson ahead of his UFC 317 title clash against Ilia Topuria.
In just a few weeks’ time at UFC 317, Charles Oliveira has the chance to make UFC history by becoming the first fighter to reclaim the UFC lightweight title when he takes on Ilia Topuria for the vacant strap.
Ahead of their clash, Topuria has been extremely vocal with his predictions and has been consistently sharing videos online from his training sessions.
Not only that, but the Spaniard has made a huge change to his camp, parting ways with his longtime coaches, The Climent brothers, and has been offered some help by former world champion boxer, Roy Jones Jr.
Charles Oliveira recalls almost buying a tiger ahead of UFC 317
Despite ‘El Matador’ being widely regarded as the better striker in the matchup, it is ‘Do Bronx’ who almost channeled his inner Mike Tyson.
Ahead of his clash against Topuria, the former UFC lightweight champion allowed the cameras into his home where he provided a tour of where he lives and of his farm.
Similar to the feared former heavyweight boxing world champion, Oliveira has a bird enclosure where he keeps different types of birds.
After the comparison to Tyson was made, Oliveira detailed the time that he almost brought a tiger for his farm, but opted against it because of one reason.
“Don’t you want any tigers like Mike Tyson?” Oliveira was asked.
“You can’t have them here. Some time ago, I had everything built in the farm to be able to have them, but man, they eat a lot.
“I made the stuff to be able to have them, but man, there’s no way you can have it. Like, I’m not around much, you know? I’d have to leave them to the responsibility of my parents, so I can’t.
“Over there in the farm you have llamas, ostriches, horses, game, all kinds of animals,” Oliveira continued.
Mike Tyson’s tiger ripped off reporter’s arm and cost him a fortune
It may be a good thing that Oliveira opted against keeping pet tigers because if it ended anything like it did with Tyson, it would’ve ended in disaster.
The boxing legend got rid of the tiger that he had for over 16 years after it suffered with health conditions, along with ripping someone’s arm off.
After his tiger bit a reporter’s hand, Tyson forked out $250,000 to try and soften the blow.
Along with Tyson’s love for nature and animals, Oliveira will be hopeful that he has also inherited ‘Iron’s’ ferociousness when he clashes with Topuria on June 28.