Former UFC champ Charles Oliveira signs on for Eureka harness race

In a thrilling development within the world of Australian harness racing, Charles Oliveira, former UFC lightweight champion and renowned sports personality, has been confirmed as the ambassador for the globally anticipated Eureka slot race.

Set to take place at Menangle on September 2, 2023, this race is known for being the wealthiest harness race in the world, with a prize pool of $2.1 million.

The announcement arrives courtesy of Aaron Bain Racing and Summit Bloodstock, whose collaborative efforts have not only secured Oliveira’s involvement but have also ensured their own participation in the race.

Oliveira’s passion for harness racing is well-documented.

He previously created a buzz on social media in July 2021 when he outshone US Hall of Fame driver Tim Tetrick in an exhibition harness race at Yonkers in New York.

.@UFCFightPassBR https://t.co/5zcYBpWPjb pic.twitter.com/oz30JG4ohE

— Charles 'DoBronxs' Oliveira (@CharlesDoBronxs) February 19, 2023

“Harness racing is a bona fide passion of mine. I’m absolutely hooked on it,” shared Oliveira, whose enthusiasm is well-known within the industry.

The agreement with Oliveira introduces an electrifying twist: the UFC and MMA veteran will once again engage in the sport he loves, squaring off in an exhibition race against esteemed Australian driver Luke McCarthy.

This spectacle is scheduled for the night of the Eureka at Menangle.

“I’m endeavouring to maintain my flawless record,” Oliveira commented on his upcoming exhibition race.

“It’s a thrill to once again be in the sulky.

“However, my participation in this event extends beyond personal satisfaction.

“I am passionate about harness racing, and the TAB Eureka represents a tremendous opportunity to bring the sport into the spotlight for a larger audience.”

In addition to his ambassadorial role and racing commitments, Oliveira will collaborate closely with Aaron Bain Racing and Summit Bloodstock.

His involvement will extend to the announcement of the pacer chosen to represent their team in the 2023 Eureka race.

Oliveira’s involvement in the Eureka slot race at Menangle coincides with the first UFC pay-per-view event to held in Sydney on September 10, 2023.

UFC 293 follows the success of UFC 284 in Perth in February 2023.

It promises to be a huge UFC betting event with middleweight champion Israel Adesanya likely to fight the winner of the Robert Whittaker and Dricus Du Plessis contender clash.

There is also a strong prospect that Australian UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski could back up from his UFC 290 title fight in Las Vegas against Yair Rodriguez, to fight on the UFC 293 card in Sydney.

UFC fan favourite Tai Tuivasa is an almost certainty to be on the UFC Sydney card.

The presence of Oliveira in Australia raises the possibility of an even deeper MMA card in Sydney, should the promoter be able to find Oliveira a fighter at lightweight that will take him on at UFC 293.

Oliveira was scheduled to fight Beneil Dariush at UFC 288 on May 6, 2023, but had to postpone after the Brazilian suffered an undisclosed injury.

The addition of Oliveira vs Dariush at UFC Sydney would ensure one of the best UFC MMA main cards in history.

Oliveira, 33, won the vacant UFC lightweight title in May 2021 and made two successful defences before losing the belt to Islam Makhachev at UFC 280 in October 2022.

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