Former UFC lightweight champion Charles “do Bronx” Oliveira is fed up. After Rafael Fiziev withdrew from their scheduled Oct. 11 headliner in Rio de Janeiro due to injury, Oliveira says several fighters who claimed they’d step up on short notice are refusing when the UFC actually calls.
Oliveira’s Frustration
Speaking candidly on Instagram Stories, Oliveira accused fellow contenders of posturing online for clout while declining when approached.
“Don’t fall for the talk of these guys out there saying ‘I’m here, I’ll go,’ because the UFC is calling and they’re all saying, ‘Oh, there’s not enough time to make weight. Oh, I can’t,’” Oliveira said. “They’re posting this on the internet to get hype. Enough with that, it’s not a good look.”
The Brazilian star added that fighters claiming injuries or excuses were wasting fans’ time.
“Do you want fame? Do something else. Don’t come saying you’ll fight when it’s a lie, OK?”
Volunteers Step Forward and Back
Names like Renato Moicano, Benoit Saint Denis, and Mateusz Gamrot all surfaced on social media as possible replacements. But availability quickly became murky.
-
Moicano expressed interest but has not been confirmed.
-
Saint Denis, who dominated at UFC Paris earlier this month, had initially promised to be ready, but his manager later clarified he won’t be able to take the fight on short notice.
-
Gamrot, however, doubled down.
Gamrot’s Direct Response
Shortly after Oliveira’s video began circulating, Mateusz Gamrot made his intentions clear:
“Respect [Oliveira]. But I told UFC straight I want to face you in your own house. This will be a true masterclass on the ground, and I’m ready to prove it.”
What’s at Stake
Oliveira (35-11, 1 NC) is seeking redemption after suffering a first-round knockout loss to Ilia Topuria in June. Headlining UFC Rio would give the Brazilian fan favorite a chance to reestablish himself in front of a home crowd.
But with time running out, the UFC still has to finalize whether a new opponent will step in to preserve Oliveira’s slot in the main event.
Daniel Cormier Endorses Jon Jones for UFC White House Card Despite Rivalry
Welcome to Dice City Sports — where we provide premium, exclusive, up-to-date news and analysis surrounding the Las Vegas sports scene. Follow along on social media, and check back for new articles daily!
Robert LaMar is a writer for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X via @RobertLaMar26
