Charles Oliveira Returns to Brazil to Face Rafael Fiziev in a Lightweight Clash
UFC’s former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira will fight again in Brazil for the first time in over five years. He will face Rafael Fiziev on October 11 in Rio de Janeiro.
The fight, announced by the UFC, will take place at the Farmasi Arena and will be the main event of UFC Fight Night. This will be the UFC’s first visit to Rio de Janeiro since May 2024.
Oliveira (35-11), 35 years old, is coming off a first-round knockout loss to Ilia Topuria in June at UFC 317. Despite the loss, the opportunity to fight at home has motivated Oliveira to quickly return to the octagon.
The Brazilian fighter has not competed in his country since March 2020. The 2020 event was held behind closed doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The last time Oliveira fought in front of a Brazilian crowd was in November 2019.
Fiziev (13-4), 32 years old, will seek to get back on track in his career. Although he has shown great potential in the UFC, he has recently gone through a streak of three fights without winning, including two losses to Justin Gaethje. In June, he achieved a decision victory over Ignacio Bahamondes.
Oliveira and Fiziev are ranked number 4 and 10, respectively, in the UFC lightweight rankings.
