Laureano Staropoli knew it was always possible to reach the top of the sport, but now he’s got proof.
The Argentine watched his fellow Chute Boxe teammate build a winning streak, rise up the UFC rankings, and become the UFC lightweight champion. Staropoli (9-3 MMA, 2-2 UFC) is proud of Charles Oliveira’s successful campaign for the belt at 155 pounds, but not surprised his team was able to produce a UFC titleholder in one of the toughest divisions in the sport.
Staropoli watched UFC 262 closely, as Oliveira battled former Bellator champion Michael Chandler for the vacant title in the main event of the card earlier this month. It was a roller coaster ride, as Oliveira had ups and downs in the contest before putting away Chandler.
“He’s a monster, but I’m not going to lie, when the first round finished I was scared,” Staropoli told MMA Junkie in Spanish. “Chandler is also a monster. Actually, out of everyone, I wanted Charles to fight Poirier or McGregor, the last guy I wanted Charles to fight was Chandler because I knew he was one of the most aggressive and most complete in that division. But anyway, that was the fight and Charles killed him, he ran him over.
“He took him down, took his back, then he didn’t finish the round too well but he did come out in the second with that conviction to get the belt. Today, he’s my No. 1 example. My idols: First is Diego Armando Maradona and second Charles Oliveira.”
The 28-year-old began training at Chute Boxe in Sau Paulo, Brazil about three years ago when Oliveira had just moved back up to lightweight to kick off his run for the title. Staropoli feels lucky to have watched Oliveira’s recent development which turned him from a solid contender to the best in the world.
“When I started training with Charles he had just changed divisions and when he changed weight classes you saw a huge difference in the evolution,” Staropoli recalled. “He was already good in jiu-jitsu. He’s been good his whole life, but when he started training at Chute Boxe his striking had an abysmal change. At the Chute Boxe in Sao Paulo, you go to training and it’s like if it was a fight. You see and there’s easily six or seven who are there that can easily be top 10 in the UFC because the level is incredible. For me, it’s one of the best (gyms), without a doubt.”
Staropoli doesn’t see Oliveira losing the belt anytime soon and labels him as the most complete fighter at lightweight.
The Argentine, who returns to the cage at UFC Fight Night 198 against Roman Dolidze, is motivated to one day fight for the title himself watching his teammate win gold. Like Oliveira, Staropoli starts a new chapter of his career on June 5, as he makes his UFC middleweight debut. Staropoli went 2-2 in the UFC at 170 pounds but struggled to make the weight. He’s hoping a switch in divisions will unlock his full potential.
“That’s why I tell you Charles is my No. 1 motivation because he showed me the path,” Staropoli said. “Being a good person, being disciplined, showing well conduct, training hard every day, having a good head on your shoulders, believing in God you can achieve anything you want and dream of. I also believe in God and the universe and I ask every day and I have this opportunity now.”
Staropoli continued, “There’s a reason why I got the call for two weeks’ notice. This is for me a test to see what I’m made of. I want to be champion, so let’s take this short notice fight at 185 pounds and see if I’m ready to be champion or not.”
Laureano Staropoli motivated by teammate Charles Oliveira’s title run: ‘He’s my No. 1 example’
