Two home favorites are now looking for replacement opponents to keep their UFC Rio appearances intact.
The UFC’s upcoming return to Brazil appears cursed, with the lineup losing two big fights in recent days.
The first to fall was the main event, with Rafael Fiziev withdrawing from his clash against Charles Oliveira a few weeks out. A number of contenders have since raised their hand to replace ‘Ataman’, but the UFC is yet to confirm a new headline matchup.
Now, the matchmakers have another fight to save following the pullout of someone who was also slated to travel to enemy territory to battle one of Brazil’s own.
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UFC Rio loses another fight as Gabriel Bonfim vs Randy Brown gets scrapped
The UFC Rio main card includes a number of notable names, including former two-time flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo in the co-headliner and welterweight veteran Vicente Luque.
High up the card was another prominent Brazilian, Gabriel Bonfim. He was set for his second fight in Rio de Janeiro since joining the UFC on October 11, three months after Bonfim defeated Stephen Thompson to make it three wins in a row.
But the 18-1 prospect’s status for the upcoming event is in the air after his opponent, Randy Brown, withdrew. News of the cancellation was reported by Brazilian outlet Ag. Fight.
The setback marks a blow for Brown, who was looking to continue his momentum from a knockout against Nicolas Dalby last time out.
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Charles Oliveira slams UFC lightweights as wait for a replacement goes on
Reports suggest both Oliveira and Bonfim are on the hunt for new opponents, but it would seem the former is not having an easy time of things when it comes to securing someone for the UFC Rio main event.
While a number of names have floated their interest, Oliveira has accused some lightweights of lying about their willingness to step in on late notice.
“Everybody knows my UFC Rio fight is off,” Oliveira said in Portuguese on his Instagram Story.
“But don’t fall for the talk of these guys out there saying, ‘I’m here, I’ll go’. The UFC is calling, and they’re all saying, ‘Oh, there’s not enough time to make weight. Oh, I can’t.’ They’re posting this on the internet to get hype.
“Stop it, it’s not a good look. I saw one saying this, another saying that, but when the UFC calls, what do they say? ‘Oh, I can’t. I got bellyache. I broke a finger. I hurt my hand.’
“Enough with that, it’s not a good look,” Oliveira concluded.