Ian Machado Garry recently witnessed Charles Oliveira’s well-known weight-cut ritual, describing it as an emotional and culturally rich experience. During Oliveira’s preparation for fights, this ritual unfolds with his team, family, and close community gathered around, singing, chanting, and praying for his health and success. The collective energy is centered on support and faith, with hands laid on Oliveira to transfer strength and calmness.
The ritual is more than a physical act; it represents a shared spiritual moment that connects Oliveira with his roots and the people who care about him. Watching this ceremony happen deeply moved Garry, who described the powerful atmosphere firsthand.
Ian Machado Garry Reflects on the Emotional Impact of Oliveira’s Ritual
Garry spoke about the experience on The Ariel Helwani Show, expressing how profoundly the ritual affected him emotionally. He said:
“From my point of view, watching what happened that night, it was one of the most beautiful experiences I’ve ever been a part of [a] powerful, cathartic, religious, cultural [experience like that]. I was sobbing my eyes out with the energy. I can never describe it to you. It’s something you can only feel.”
He further elaborated on the spiritual connection involved in the ritual, emphasizing the role of the group’s love and faith in providing Oliveira with strength and focus. Garry explained:
“Everything about it was a higher connection, a higher power, and that’s unique to him… I feel like when you’re surrounded by people that you love and care about, and they give you that vibration energy, and they sit there and they pray for you and they put hands on you and they pass on their energy to make you stronger, so that God protects you, helps you with a smart weight cut, a safe weight cut, you go into that fight mentally free.”
Why Ian Machado Garry Sees Oliveira as a Major Threat to Ilia Topuria
Beyond the weight-cut ritual, Garry shared his thoughts on Oliveira’s upcoming fight against Ilia Topuria. While acknowledging Topuria’s recent knockout streak and his reputation as a formidable opponent, Garry believes Oliveira’s diverse skills give him the edge. He views the matchup as a collision between two aggressive fighters but insists Oliveira’s experience and arsenal make him more dangerous.
Previewing the fight, Garry remarked:
“Charles is one of the greatest threats the UFC has ever seen. Anywhere the fight can get finished and it’s over like that, it’s done in a second. From flashy jiu-jitsu to one-punch combos, his style is mesmerizing and chaotic. When you’ve got that aggression from Ilia and that chaos from Charles, I only see this being a car crash fight… So for me, there’s so many ways for Charles to be dangerous and offensively vicious, and his tools I believe, are far more… His arsenal is far deeper than Ilia’s is.”
Significance of Oliveira’s Ritual and What It Means for His Future
Charles Oliveira’s weight-cut ritual is more than just a physical process; it is a moment that reinforces his mental and spiritual readiness, surrounded by people who provide unwavering support. This tradition may contribute to his ability to enter fights focused and resilient, shaping his performance inside the Octagon.
As Oliveira prepares to face Ilia Topuria, the emotional connection and collective strength derived from this ritual could prove vital in a high-stakes battle. Garry’s insights highlight how Oliveira’s blend of cultural faith and unmatched talent continues to make him one of UFC’s most dangerous competitors going forward.