The countdown to UFC Rio was supposed to be a celebration. Charles Oliveira was finally set to fight in Brazil for the first time in over five years. The atmosphere promised fireworks, with Rafael Fiziev standing across the cage in the main event. But fate had other plans.
Just weeks out from the event, reports emerged that Fiziev had withdrawn from the fight due to an injury. That left fans stunned as the UFC is now scrambling to find a replacement for the highly anticipated clash, and now, ‘Ataman’ has finally broken his silence, but it has raised more questions than it has answered!
In a recent Instagram story, Rafael Fiziev shared an image of himself writing in a notebook, “How not to get injured: 1. Be 2. For 3. Fight.” No explanation. No details. Just a puzzle for fans to interpret. Was it frustration? Sarcasm? Or perhaps a message to himself about the cruel timing of his setback?
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At the time of writing, the nature of his injury remains under wraps, and that silence only deepens the mystery. For now, only Fiziev knows. What makes this even more dramatic is Charles Oliveira’s situation. ‘Do Bronx’ was already stepping into risky territory. His knockout loss to Ilia Topuria at UFC 317 in June was brutal, and many questioned if a quick turnaround was wise
The card itself has already taken multiple hits. Beyond Fiziev’s withdrawal, another fight fell apart. Gabriel Bonfim, one of Brazil’s brightest prospects, was set to return against Randy Brown. That too collapsed after Brown pulled out. As such, it feels like a curse hangs over UFC Rio. From Fiziev’s injury to Brown’s exit, the event has been stripped of two marquee fights.
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Rafael Fiziev’s cryptic post adds salt to the wound. Fighters often share updates, rehab clips, or words of reassurance after an injury. Instead, ‘Ataman’ left fans with a riddle. Perhaps it was his way of venting, or it was a reminder of how fragile a fighter’s body really is. Either way, it has left more questions than answers.
So what happens now? The promotion reportedly plans to “make mountains move” to save the main event. But who will step up? Lightweight is packed with contenders, but not everyone is ready or willing to fight on short notice, as ‘Do Bronx’ recently went scorched earth on the division!
Rafael Fiziev’s abrupt withdrawal from UFC Rio leaves Charles Oliveira fuming at the lightweight division
In the wake of Rafael Fiziev’s withdrawal, Charles Oliveira has turned his attention not to mourning the lost matchup but to torching his peers. The former champion claimed that while social media was buzzing with volunteers, the reality behind closed doors was far less heroic.
Speaking on a video uploaded to social media, the Brazilian star fired off with, “Everybody knows my UFC Rio fight is off. But 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.’ They’re posting this on the internet to get hype.”
According to him, the bravado was nothing more than empty noise. Without naming names, Oliveira sent a warning shot to the entire division as he further shared, “My opponent got hurt, then 10 guys show up saying they would fight. So far, every time the UFC calls ‘Let’s fight?’ (they go) ‘I can’t.’ So stop with that because it’s not a good look. Do you want fame? Do something else. Don’t come saying you’ll fight when it’s a lie, OK?”
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For Oliveira, this isn’t just about securing an opponent in Brazil. It’s about exposing what he sees as a culture of empty promises. In his eyes, the lightweight division is crowded with fighters chasing clout rather than combat. And so, Rafael Fiziev’s injury has left UFC Rio shaken, and his cryptic message has only deepened the mystery.
On the other side, Charles Oliveira has shifted from preparation to frustration, blasting his peers for what he sees as empty words and false bravado. The main event now hangs in limbo, caught between Fiziev’s silence and Oliveira’s fire. As such, the question is simple yet complicated: who will step in? What do you think? Let us know in the comments below!