The UFC Rio weigh-ins have just concluded, with almost every fighter successfully making weight. However, just when it seemed the promotion’s 13th visit to Rio de Janeiro would go off without any weight-related drama, another major setback struck. Brazil’s Saimon Oliveira, who was set to perform in front of his home crowd, missed weight by a huge margin. Dark clouds are hanging over his future as the promotion decides what to do next.

The 34-year-old was scheduled to face Luan Lacerda in the prelims in an anticipated bantamweight bout. But, during the weigh-ins, Oliveira came in at 144 pounds, which is a massive eight pounds over the 136-pound limit. This miss has put him in a stressful position, as the UFC might fine him or even release him from the promotion. Here’s what you need to know.

Will Saimon Oliveira be fined for missing weight at UFC Rio?

The UFC typically fines a fighter 20–30% of their purse for missing weight, and they also lose any potential performance bonuses. But what happens to that money? It goes to the opponent who successfully made weight. And that might happen with Saimon Oliveira after he failed to meet the bantamweight limit. So, in this case, Luan Lacerda, who weighed in at 136 pounds, would receive the amount.

The UFC has yet to announce whether the fight will still take place. However, according to prominent journalist Guilherme Cruz, the promotion might impose a 50% fine on Saimon Oliveira and allow the bout might proceed only under one condition, that the Brazilian does not exceed the lightweight limit of 155 pounds when he faces Luan Lacerda. 

He wrote on X, “UFC did not disclose the fine, but I’m told Saimon Oliveira will be fined 50% for missing weight by 8 pounds this morning, and he can’t be over 155 pounds when he gets to the arena Saturday to fight Luan Lacerda.”  

If that’s true, it closely mirrors what UFC bantamweight contender Yana Santos revealed earlier this month. At UFC 320, ‘Foxy’ faced Macy Chiasson, who weighed in at 137.5 pounds, which is 1.5 pounds over the bantamweight limit. Well, in situations like these, the fighters choose whether to take the fight or not. But, according to Santos, the UFC told her she had to accept this fight despite her opponent missing weight.

Although Santos didn’t mention any names, she explained in an interview with MMA Fighting, “A couple of fights ago when my opponent missed a lot of weight and we were thinking should we take the fight or not, UFC made it very clear that the person who will be punished is me if I refuse to fight. So I’m not getting paid, I have a chance to be cut and all these things. It’s like the opponent who missed weight is [not] going to have a problem. It’s me that has problems. So I can’t see that as an option. It is what it is. If I want to keep my job, I have to fight.”

Based on Santos’ statement, Luan Lacerda might also feel pressured to accept the fight against Saimon Oliveira. However, there’s still a strong possibility that Oliveira could be released from the promotion. Not only because he missed weight, but also because he’s currently on a three-fight losing streak.

Could Saimon Oliveira get cut from the promotion?

The UFC doesn’t usually cut fighters immediately for missing weight. For instance, Kelvin Gastelum recently missed weight before his bout against Dustin Stoltzfus at the UFC Noche Fight Night event, but remains with the promotion. And he’s missed weight and pulled out of fights more than once. Still, things might be different for Oliveira.

The 34-year-old Brazilian has competed three times in the UFC but lost all three bouts. At UFC 270, Saimon Oliveira faced Tony Gravely and lost via unanimous decision. Later, he withdrew from his scheduled fight against Kyung Ho Kang at UFC 275. After spending a year away from competition, Oliveira returned only to suffer two brutal knockout losses. First to Daniel Marcos at UFC 283, and then to David Martinez at UFC Fight Night: Moreno vs. Erceg.

This recent weight miss only adds to his struggles and could strengthen the case for his release. It now depends on what the UFC brass decides. If Oliveira still gets to compete at UFC Rio, he might avoid becoming another victim of Dana White’s recent roster cuts, which even saw names like Jairzinho Rozenstruik released this year.

Although UFC Rio has suffered multiple cancellations, the event still carries strong intrigue with Charles Oliveira vs. Mateusz Gamrot headlining the card. Plus, fan favorite and former flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo faces Montel Jackson in the co-main event, promising plenty of action for the crowd at the Farmasi Arena.

Do you think Simon Oliveira will actually get cut from the promotion? Or will the UFC simply dock part of his purse and give him another chance? Let us know in the comments section below.