The headline bout for the October 11 event at Farmasi Arena was set to feature former undisputed lightweight champion Charles Oliveira against Rafael Fiziev. But news emerged that Fiziev had sustained an injury and was ruled out of the event.
The news, initially reported by @OctagonUpdate on X, was later corroborated to major outlets, with the 12th-ranked contender confirmed to be out of the event.
It leaves Oliveira without a dance partner for his main event return to Brazil, and two notable names have thrown their hats into the ring to face the former champion.
Polish contender Mateusz Gamrot posted on social media to confirm his offer to step in.
“Respect @CharlesDoBronxs but I told UFC straight – I want to face you in your own house,” he wrote on X.
“This will be a true masterclass on the ground, and I’m ready to prove it.”
He later posted to suggest Oliveira had turned him down, writing, “I hear you’re worried about my style, even though you had a full training camp. I had none, and I’m still ready to step into the cage. Two weeks left to prepare – and I’m already in ATT right here. No excuses, let’s do this.”
Another name who has offered to step in is featherweight contender and former title challenger Diego Lopes.
Lopes, who recently defeated Jean Silva in one of the most thrilling bouts of 2025 so far, said he’s prepared to make the jump up to lightweight to challenge Oliveira in an all-Brazilian matchup in Rio.
Talking to Laerte Viana, Lopes said, “Sure, why not? Of course I’d do it, especially because Charles is a legend of the sport in Brazil.
“I’ll never turn down any fight. If the UFC thinks I’m the guy to fight him and calls me, definitely (I’d say yes). I wouldn’t think twice.”
