Charles Oliveira may have dodged a bullet when Rafael Fiziev withdrew from the UFC Rio main event, giving the Brazilian a critical opportunity to reconsider rushing back into action. ‘Do Bronx,’ who is scheduled to headline on October 11, now has the opportunity to recover and refocus following his first-round knockout loss to Ilia Topuria in June. As his friend Alexandre Pantoja points out, this could be the break he needs before returning to title contention.

Pantoja commented on Oliveira’s position on Mike Perry’s Overdogs Podcast, praising both his abilities and the natural excitement he exudes when competing at home. “Charles likes to fight in this atmosphere, especially in Brazil. He wants fighting with that energy,” Pantoja said.

Alexandre Pantoja sends a message of caution to Charles Oliveira

While ‘The Cannibal’ was all praise for Oliveira’s technical ability, he also voiced concerns about the physical impact of his very recent failures in the Octagon. The topic swiftly shifted to Oliveira’s weight-cut issues. The flyweight champion emphasized the consequences of excessive dehydration, stating, “When you cut too much weight, all your water goes, even in your brain. If you dry yourself too much, you make yourself vulnerable.”

He warned that ‘Do Bronx’ may be carrying too much weight for the lightweight class, which might jeopardize both performance and safety in future fights. The flyweight said, “Too much cut weight; I don’t like to see that position. Maybe Charles too too heavy for that division.” So, what now? Is it the end for the fighter from the favelas? Well, not exactly.

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 being rushed 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 his strategy, possibly change 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, the UFC faces the difficulty of finding a suitable replacement for Charles Oliveira on the October 11th show. Several fighters stand out as viable candidates who could jump in at short notice and make a difference. Mateusz Gamrot is one of the leading candidates.

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 victory over a former UFC champion would significantly 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.