![Top Legendary Cricketers Who Retired Without a Farewell [Updated 2025]](https://sportspromax.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/image-300x200.webp "Top Legendary Cricketers Who Retired Without a Farewell [Updated 2025] 2")
UFC lightweight legend Charles Oliveira was looking to return to the win column big time and hop the contention ladder. However, Oliveira would need a new face as Rafael Fiziev has jumped out the UFC Rio official pre-fight poster due to injury.
Next month, Charles Oliveira was slated to return in front of his home fans in Brazil for the first time in over five years. ‘Do Bronx’ is fresh off a failed bid to capture the vacant UFC 155-pound crown against the #1 Pound-for-pound, Ilia Topuria. Topuria won the affair in way of a devastating KO, the likes of which the fanbase has not seen the fan favorite Oliveira subjected to before.
While he was looking to rebound, Oliveira is now without an opponent. Per reports from Ag.Fight, lightweight peer Rafael Fiziev is out of commission. Sources at SBNation Network and the fighter himself confirmed as much later.
Oliveira lost a top contender bout to then-No.1-ranked lightweight Arman Tsarukyan in the historic UFC 300 PPV lineup. The Brazilian then rebounded with a win over Michael Chandler last November, at UFC 309: Jones vs. Miocic. While the prolific submissions specialist promised to “walk forward” and test Topuria, he failed his attempt; 2-2 in the last few, the former champ is still vying for a chance to get back to all the glory.
🚨 Rafael Fiziev Injured
— MMA News (@mmanewsig) September 20, 2025
Rafael Fiziev has withdrawn from his scheduled UFC Rio bout against Charles Oliveira on October 11 due to injury.
The UFC has not yet confirmed whether a replacement opponent will be announced or if Oliveira will remain on the card.
(via: @AgFight / X) pic.twitter.com/f72YWIvDf9
This was to be Oliveira’s first ballot return on Brazilian soil since a 2020 submission over Kevin Lee. As for the Azerbaijani UFC lightweight, he lost one to Justin Gaethje, which pushed the latter forward to title talks. But then rebounded with a UD over Ignacio Bahamondes at UFC Fight Night: Hill vs. Rountree Jr.
😞
— Rafael “Ataman” Fiziev (@RafaelFiziev) September 20, 2025
1-3 in his last few trips, ‘Ataman’ is on a tough break and will look to redeem his standing later. As for now, UFC matchmakers Mick Maynard/Sean Shelby will scramble for a new name. UFC Rio will take place on October 11 and will be broadcast live on ESPN+ from the Farmasi Arena (Rio de Janeiro), with Oliveira still as the stated headliner. The good thing is, Do Bronx isn’t without options just yet.
Charles Oliveira gets fight offers from few interested peers for UFC Rio main event
With the lightweight Muay Thai striker Fiziev failing his return, hell broke loose as Charles Oliveira has a die-hard fan following, especially in his home turf. Hopefully, the card on Oct. 11 LIVE on ESPN+ will still feature Oliveira in the main event, along with other Brazilian standouts such as Deiveson Figueiredo and Vicente Luque.
With Rafael Fiziev out, though, few other parties have pitched their interest into the UFC Rio main event slot. Dan Hooker seems to be out of contention for now; Gaethje is eagle-eyed for UFC gold and has threatened that he won’t make weight for intermediate, fun matchups.
Arman Tsarukyan and Paddy Pimblett are other forerunners for Topuria’s gold, but both have (somewhat) agreed on the fact that there are others with a chance. However, there are others.
I'm ready and hungry to jump in!! Come on @ufc @MMAJunkie 🔥🔥🔥 https://t.co/SfksZFFtE0
— Mateusz Gamrot (@gamer_mma) September 20, 2025
Mateusz Gamrot, ranked #8 in the athletes’ listings, has had difficulty finding top opponents to climb the contention ladder. He responded to the news by expressing his interest in stepping in at UFC Rio. He’s 1-1 right now with a last win in June.
👀
— Renato Moicano (@moicanoufc) September 19, 2025
Renato Moicano teased his interest on social media. He already drove above the banter before, suggesting that the former champ should have campaigned for a bigger draw to rebound after the Topuria KO.
Moicano’s official podcast channel ‘Show Me The Money’, also managed by Gilbert Burns, also suggested his peer’s name. After a violent doctor stoppage TKO win at the last UFC Paris iteration (UFC Fight Night: Moicano vs. Saint Denis), Moicano is 0-2. He failed a short-notice effort against Islam Makhachev, then lost a decision to Beneil Dariush at UFC 317.
ALSO READ: UFC Lightweight Rankings 2025: The Top Contenders in the 155-Pound Division
