WFA EXPERIENCE: 2-1. Was submitted via armbar by Rich Franklin (Pictures) at WFA 1. Stopped Tom Sauer (Pictures) with strikes at WFA 2. KO’d Alex Stiebling (Pictures) with at the WFA 3.
WHAT HE BRINGS TO THE BOUT: Though most perceive him as a Muay Thai striker, Marvin has excellent wrestling skills. He always appears to be in shape and has a habit of coming back from significant losses with impressive victories. He has only lost back-to-back bouts once in his career. A negative may be that he is short for a light heavyweight.
OLIVEIRA: 6’1”, 205 pounds, 32 years old, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, known as “Van Damme”
BACKGROUND: Oliveira began training in jiu-jitsu and judo at the age of 4 due to a hyperactive nature. At 14 he started training under Carlson Gracie at Garcie Barra. At 28 he came to the U.S. to teach under Ralph Gracie (Pictures). He would move to Beverly Hills jiu-jitsu and eventually to Los Angeles to train under Roberto Piccinini at the Chute Boxe USA academy. He has a professional record of 2-1 in MMA.
WFA EXPERIENCE: None.
WHAT HE BRINGS TO THE BOUT: He has excellent jiu-jitsu skills. Not surprisingly he is training Muay Thai in his new camp and his striking is improving regularly.
OVERALL OPINION OF MATCH: Good. The edge in striking goes to Eastman where the ground expertise rests with Oliveira. However Eastman is an accomplished wrestler and Oliveira studies Muay Thai. Both fighters are balanced but Marvin has the fight experience hands down. He’s also a three-time WFA veteran and the former WFA light heavyweight champion. He never lost the title but the promotion folded so he has his eyes on reclaiming that belt with a whole new field of competitors.