Charles Oliveira has been urged to make a big decision regarding his ongoing UFC career weeks out from his planned return on home soil.
Oliveira was set to headline UFC Rio against Rafael Fiziev, a matchup that has caused a stir given the quick turnaround time after the former lightweight champion’s brutal defeat in the summer.
In his bid to reclaim the 155-pound crown, Oliveira was knocked out by Ilia Topuria at UFC 317 this past June. His plan to return in October received plenty of pushback, and despite Fiziev’s recent withdrawal, ‘Do Bronx’ is expected to face a new opponent at Farmasi Arena.
With that in mind, concern over the Brazilian’s decision to fight again so quickly continues to grow. But that is not the only worry for this UFC champion…
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Alexandre Pantoja wants to see Charles Oliveira move to welterweight
Oliveira’s friend and fellow countryman, reigning UFC flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja, recently gave his take on the ex-lightweight king’s expected return in Rio.
Speaking on Mike Perry’s Overdogs Podcast, ‘The Cannibal’ acknowledged the worries over Oliveira’s comeback timeline. But Pantoja also had another concern for his compatriot — his weight cut.
Pantoja thinks the writing could be on the wall for ‘Do Bronx’ at 155 pounds and would like to see him make a permanent move up to the UFC welterweight division.
“I think everybody understands when we say he’s back too soon after a knockout,” Pantoja said. “But he has all the skills, you know? Charles likes to fight in this atmosphere, especially when he goes to Brazil.
“And you know what I think? The (weight) cut is maybe too much. When you cut too much weight, you need to understand, all your water goes. Your brain has water. If you dry yourself too much, you will make yourself vulnerable.
“Maybe Charles is too heavy for that division,” Pantoja continued. “(Welterweight) would make it more easy for him.”
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Charles Oliveira gets a replacement offer after Rafael Fiziev’s UFC Rio withdrawal
The status of Oliveira’s return is currently unclear, but given the short-notice nature of Fiziev’s withdrawal and the Brazilian’s popularity in his home country, it’s expected that the UFC will look to secure a replacement opponent for ‘Do Bronx’.
And the promotion certainly does not appear short on options, with multiple lightweights appearing keen to fight Oliveira in a few weeks’ time.
As well as Renato Moicano teasing the opportunity and rumors placing Benoit Saint-Denis as the frontrunner, the No. 8-ranked Mateusz Gamrot passionately expressed his interest on social media.
“I’m ready and hungry to jump in!! Come on @ufc,” Gamrot wrote on X.