Charles Oliveira, the former UFC lightweight champion, is once again the center of attention in the MMA world as he gears up for a dramatic return to the Octagon at UFC Rio de Janeiro. Just over three months after a devastating knockout loss to Ilia Topuria at UFC 317, Oliveira is set to headline in his homeland, facing off against the dangerous Rafael Fiziev. The quick turnaround has sparked plenty of conversation among fans and pundits alike, but Oliveira remains unphased, embracing the challenge and the opportunity to compete on Brazilian soil for the first time in five years.
Oliveira’s last outing was anything but gentle. On June 28, 2025, he stepped into the cage with Topuria, hoping to reclaim his lightweight crown. Instead, he was stopped in brutal fashion—a thunderous knockout marking his first loss via strikes since 2017. The defeat was a tough pill to swallow, especially for a fighter who had previously enjoyed an 11-fight win streak and had only recently been dethroned by Islam Makhachev, the pound-for-pound number one, in 2022. Yet, Oliveira’s response has been nothing short of resilient.
With just 105 days separating his loss from his upcoming bout, Oliveira’s decision to jump back into action has raised eyebrows. Many fans voiced concerns over whether the turnaround was too fast, especially given the severity of his last defeat. But Oliveira was quick to address the critics. Speaking to Ariel Helwani through a translator, he explained, “There are people making comments [about the return], but they’re making the comments out of the goodness of their hearts. There are other people making the comments, meaning bad by it. Things that happened in the past have already passed. I’m not gonna be bringing them up again. This is a new fight, a new place. I’m just really grateful to have this opportunity and keep doing what I’m supposed to do, regardless of those who want to speak badly about me.”
For Oliveira, the motivation to fight again so soon is deeply personal. He’s been a fixture in the UFC since 2008, known for his relentless schedule and willingness to face anyone, anywhere. This time, though, the prospect of competing in front of his countrymen carried special significance. “I honestly wanted to go back to fight as quickly as possible,” Oliveira confessed. “But also I wanted to be in front of the public. I received a lot of love from the general public [after the Topuria loss], and I just wanted to carry that message, be face-to-face with my family, my fans, my flag, and so I think it's a conjunction of many factors there [that led to the quick turnaround].”
The Sao Paulo native’s record in Brazil is nothing short of remarkable. He’s undefeated on home soil, boasting 17 professional wins in Brazil. The streak adds another layer of intrigue to his showdown with Fiziev, a fighter known for his explosive striking and athleticism. Oliveira is under no illusions about the challenge ahead. “It’s really the fact that I wanted to fight at UFC Rio,” he said. “Out of all the names that came up, Fiziev was the one that was up for it. It's going to be a hard fight. He moves fast. He's a complete athlete. I think it's going to be good for the entertainment. I really wanted to be on UFC Rio.”
Despite the chatter around his quick return, Oliveira is adamant that he’s in a good place mentally and physically. Retirement is nowhere on his radar. “I really don’t think about this desire to retire. I think I’m doing well. I think I’m in a good phase [of my career] right now. Obviously I’m happy for these guys [who do retire] because they feel that they did their thing and it’s their time to retire. For me, I think there’s still a lot to happen, a lot I can show. What I tell everybody is that I feel a lot of pleasure in doing what I’m doing. So when you’re doing something that you’re still happy to do, and still have the will to do it, you gotta keep going.”
Oliveira’s response to adversity has always been to keep moving forward. After his loss to Topuria, he admitted, “It was his night, and I was expecting to come up and do a certain thing, and it just didn’t happen for me; it happened for him. It was just his night, and he did better than I did.” Yet, the outpouring of support from fans pushed him to return even faster. “I really wanted to go back and fight the very next day because of all the messages, all the love I received, all the videos I saw. Everything was motivating me, but between my trainer and everything else, they said, 'Let's go home, let's rest a little bit and go see the family,' and that's what I did. I'm ready to go.”
In the broader context of UFC history, Oliveira’s 105-day turnaround is quick, but not unprecedented. Khamzat Chimaev famously fought twice within 10 days in 2020, setting a new standard for rapid returns. Loopy Godinez even managed to fight just seven days apart in 2021. Still, Oliveira’s decision is notable given the manner of his last defeat and the stakes involved in his comeback.
As fight night approaches, anticipation is reaching a fever pitch in Brazil. Oliveira’s homecoming is more than just another bout; it’s a testament to his resilience, his connection to his fans, and his enduring love for the sport. The matchup with Fiziev promises fireworks, with both fighters eager to make a statement in one of the most talent-rich divisions in MMA.
For Oliveira, this is about more than redemption. It’s about pride, legacy, and proving that even after nearly 50 professional bouts and countless battles, he still has plenty left to offer. “What I tell everybody is that I feel a lot of pleasure in doing what I’m doing. So when you’re doing something that you’re still happy to do, and still have the will to do it, you gotta keep going.”
With the Octagon set to roar in Rio, all eyes will be on Charles Oliveira as he looks to extend his perfect record in Brazil and reignite his pursuit of UFC gold. Whether he can overcome Rafael Fiziev remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Oliveira’s fighting spirit is as strong as ever, and his journey is far from over.
