Jun 28, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Charles Oliveira (blue gloves) prior to the fight against Ilia Topuria (red gloves) during UFC 317 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

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Charles Oliveira Finally Gets A Replacement Fight For UFC Rio!

The UFC lightweight division never sleeps, and neither do its top fighters when opportunity comes knocking. Charles Oliveira, the former lightweight champion who’s become a fan favorite in Brazil, was left hanging when his original opponent for UFC Rio pulled out due to injury. Rafael Fiziev’s withdrawal could have derailed the entire main event, leaving Brazilian fans disappointed and Oliveira without a dance partner for what was supposed to be his homecoming fight.

But there’s always someone ready to step up when others step back. Enter Mateusz Gamrot, a Polish powerhouse who didn’t hesitate to accept the short notice bout against one of the division’s most dangerous finishers. This kind of last minute shuffle happens all the time in MMA, but it’s especially crucial when fans are talking about a main event in Brazil, where the crowd expects fireworks and won’t settle for anything less.

Mateusz Gamrot Steps Up When Others Stay Silent

Mateusz Gamrot has built his reputation on being a fighter’s fighter. He is the kind of guy who will take tough matchups on short notice without blinking twice. The 34 year old Polish veteran has been vocal about wanting bigger fights and better opportunities in the lightweight division. When Fiziev dropped out, Gamrot saw his chance and grabbed it with both hands.

🚨 Breaking 🚨

We have a new main event for UFC Rio.

(via @UFCBrasil) pic.twitter.com/c61UGc7d5m
— Uncrowned (@uncrownedcombat) September 23, 2025

This isn’t just about replacing one fighter with another. Gamrot brings a completely different skill set to the table compared to Fiziev. While Fiziev is known for his striking power and technical kickboxing background, Gamrot is a wrestling heavy fighter with excellent ground control and cardio for days. This style switch actually creates a more interesting puzzle for Oliveira to solve, especially considering ‘Do Bronx’ has shown vulnerability to strong wrestlers in the past.

Gamrot’s recent record shows he’s been working hard to climb back up the rankings after that controversial split decision loss to Dan Hooker last year. Many fans and analysts thought he won that fight, but the judges saw it differently. He bounced back with a solid unanimous decision win over Ludovit Klein. Now he gets his biggest test yet against a former champion in hostile territory.

Charles Oliveira Looks to Bounce Back in Home Territory

Charles Oliveira’s last fight didn’t go according to plan. Getting knocked out by Ilia Topuria at UFC 317 was brutal. That first round knockout loss stung not just because it happened, but because it came in a title fight that could have put the belt back around his waist.

But there’s something special about fighting in Brazil for Oliveira. The man has an incredible 17-fight undefeated streak on home soil, which is absolutely wild! Brazilian crowds have this unique energy that seems to lift their fighters to another level. The noise, the passion, the pure emotional support all adds up to create an atmosphere that visiting fighters often struggle to handle.

This fight against Mateusz Gamrot represents more than just getting back in the win column. At his age, Charles Oliveira can’t afford many more setbacks if he wants another shot at the title. The good news is that his finishing ability remains as sharp as ever. And Gamrot’s aggressive style might play right into his hands for potential submission opportunities.

(Image Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie – Imagn Images)

Charles Oliveira

Mateusz Gamrot

Rafael Fiziev

UFC Rio

Zaid Quraishi

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I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!