The race is on to find Charles Oliveira a new opponent for his upcoming return to Brazil.
Oliveira was set to compete in front of his home fans in Brazil for the first time in over five years next month.
It was immediately pointed out once the headliner for UFC Rio was made official that this was a quick turnaround for the former lightweight champion.
Fans expressed concerns about Oliveira making his return to the Octagon so soon after his devastating knockout loss to Ilia Topuria at UFC 317 in June.
While ‘Do Bronx’ knew that he wanted to take this opportunity to put on a show for his supporters in Brazil, this is now up in the air following a recent update.
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Charles Oliveira receives interest from several lightweight contenders after Rafael Fiziev withdraws
As first reported by AG Fight before several other sources backed up the news, Rafael Fiziev is out of his main event with Charles Oliveira due to injury.
It was also noted that the UFC matchmakers will supposedly “make mountains move” in order to find ‘Do Bronx’ a new opponent for October 11.
A fellow Brazilian had already suggested a series of different names for Oliveira to pursue instead of facing Fiziev.
While Dan Hooker does not appear to be in contention to face Oliveira, several other lightweight contenders have recently put their names in the mix.
The #8 ranked Mateusz Gamrot, who has had difficulty finding top opponents to compete against, responded to the news by expressing his interest in stepping in.
Renato Moicano, who had suggested that the former champion should’ve campaigned for a bigger name, teased his interest on social media.
There’s also Benoit Saint-Denis, who previously suggested that he’d be willing to make a quick turnaround from his win at UFC Paris long before Fiziev withdrew.
“I will accept any opportunity the UFC gives me to fight somebody in the top 10… I’m ready to step up. I’m even looking at Oliveira x Fiziev, if somebody gets injured.”
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Current UFC champion recently said Charles Oliveira should abandon lightweight completely
Speaking in a recent interview on the Overdogs Podcast, UFC flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja shared some thoughts on Charles Oliveira.
He expressed some concerns for his friend and fellow Brazilian after seeing him lose in devastating fashion last time out.
Pantoja suggested that the cut down to lightweight, which has been an issue for Oliveira in the past, might be doing him more harm than good.
“The weight cut is too much. When you cut too much weight, if you dry yourself out too much, you make yourself vulnerable. Maybe Charles is too heavy for that [lightweight] division. [170 lbs] would make it easier for him.”
While it doesn’t look like ‘Do Bronx’ is going to make this change ahead of UFC Rio, the result could force him to assess his future at lightweight.