Charles Oliveira left without opponent after Rafael Fiziev exits UFC Rio Main Event. The upcoming UFC Rio card has suffered a major blow. Lightweight contender Rafael Fiziev has officially withdrawn from his scheduled main-event bout with Charles Oliveira and left him without opponent MMA Fighting confirmed following a report from Octagon Update.
The fight was set to headline the UFC’s return to Brazil on October 11, 2025, at the Farmasi Arena in Rio de Janeiro. It was billed as a high-stakes clash between a surging contender and a hometown favorite looking to rebound. The UFC has yet to officially confirm the news and if Oliveira will be given a new opponent for the Oct. 11 show in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Fiziev, was coming off an impressive victory over Ignacio Bahamondes in June 2025 and had hoped a win in Rio would propel him closer to title contention. Oliveira, meanwhile, was seeking redemption after a first-round knockout loss to Ilia Topuria at UFC 317 in June. The Rio bout was marketed as his homecoming fight in front of Brazilian fans.
Fiziev’s withdrawal is a significant blow to UFC Rio’s main event plans, but it also opens up the possibility for a fresh storyline. The UFC now faces the challenge of either securing a short-notice replacement or rescheduling the bout entirely, a decision that could reshape the card and its marketing. For Oliveira, who has been preparing for a high-stakes showdown on home soil, the setback means either a dramatic opponent switch or a frustrating wait for a rescheduled fight.
This setback marks yet another reshuffle for a Brazilian event that had been building momentum, and fans will be watching closely to see if the UFC can salvage its main event.
