After Charles Oliviera’s first-round KO loss to Ilia Topuria this June, the Brazilian didn’t take time to brood. Instead, he remembered the lesson he learned from his parents– return to point zero, whether you win or lose, and try again. And so, he contacted the UFC for a fight. Many thought the turnaround was too quick. But his one request, to keep the fight in Brazil, made all the difference for him. His reasoning? Fighting for the first time in front of his people after the 2020 submission win over Kevin Lee will keep him motivated. However, most still didn’t agree with him.

In fact, when Rafael Fiziev withdrew from the main event just weeks before the UFC Rio event, it gave Oliveira the perfect opportunity to rethink rushing back. Now, ‘Do Bronx’ is scheduled to headline on October 11. But his friend, Alexandre Pantoja, believes this could be the break he needs. The Cannibal commented on Oliveira’s position on Mike Perry’s Overdogs Podcast, saying, “Charles likes to fight in this atmosphere, he likes this energy. I think he can take advantage about that but, of course, Rafael Fiziev is a tough opponent.

“Have hits, very good Muay Thai. But what I think is to cut weight is 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 make yourself vulnerable. I don’t like to see that position. Maybe Charles too heavy for that division… There’s a lot of pressure, I don’t like that, man.”

Currently, Oliveira is vying for a fight in the 155-pound division. But looking ahead, Alexandre Pantoja hinted at a possible shift to welterweight to ease the strain. Moving up to 170 pounds may allow Charles Oliveira to compete at his natural weight, maintaining strength and durability while reducing risks to his health. Such a move may also allow him to plan more methodically and avoid rushing into a risky matchup.

With UFC Rio in crisis and Charles Oliveira‘s opponent uncertain, the situation provides a rare opportunity for introspection. Rather than plunging back into a difficult contest right away, ‘Do Bronx’ might reconsider changing divisions and focus on returning to the Octagon at his prime, ensuring that his next fight maximizes both his safety and chances of success. But what if he still wishes to continue like this? Who are the options?

Three replacement fight options for Charles Oliveira

With Rafael Fiziev out of UFC Rio due to injury, the UFC faces the difficulty of finding a suitable replacement for Charles Oliveira on the October 11th show inside Farmasi Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. As it turns out, several fighters stand out as viable candidates, with Mateusz Gamrot leading them all. For Gamrot, this is a low-risk, high-reward opportunity: a loss to a former champion would be insignificant, but a win might propel him into the top five and put him in contention for a title eliminator. His eagerness to travel and compete in Brazil makes him an obvious candidate for the promotion.

Dan Hooker also presents a compelling option. After recovering from a hand injury, Hooker may regard ‘Do Bronx’ as a more strategic opponent than his rumored fight with Arman Tsarukyan. A victory over the Brazilian would almost certainly result in a title shot, while a defeat would still be mitigated by UFC support for fighters stepping in during critical situations. Hooker’s expertise and past ranking in the lightweight division make him a serious contender.

Benoît Saint Denis could act as a wildcard in this situation. The Frenchman is on a roll, including a spectacular win at UFC Paris, and facing Charles Oliveira on short notice would be dangerous but perhaps career-defining. A win could boost his stature, while even a competitive showing could bolster his reputation. Whoever the UFC chooses, the replacement fighter will enter a high-stakes encounter with the opportunity to change the course of their career. And if the reports are true, they are going to move mountains to keep Oliveira in the UFC Rio.