Charles Oliveira Calls Out Lightweights for Ducking UFC Rio

Oliveira’s Frustration

Speaking candidly on Instagram Stories, Oliveira accused fellow contenders of posturing online for clout while declining when approached.

“Don’t fall for the talk of these guys out there saying ‘I’m here, I’ll go,’ because the UFC is calling and they’re all saying, ‘Oh, there’s not enough time to make weight. Oh, I can’t,’” Oliveira said. “They’re posting this on the internet to get hype. Enough with that, it’s not a good look.”

The Brazilian star added that fighters claiming injuries or excuses were wasting fans’ time.

“Do you want fame? Do something else. Don’t come saying you’ll fight when it’s a lie, OK?”

Volunteers Step Forward and Back

Names like Renato Moicano, Benoit Saint Denis, and Mateusz Gamrot all surfaced on social media as possible replacements. But availability quickly became murky.

• Moicano expressed interest but has not been confirmed.

• Saint Denis, who dominated at UFC Paris earlier this month, had initially promised to be ready, but his manager later clarified he won’t be able to take the fight on short notice.

• Gamrot, however, doubled down.

Gamrot’s Direct Response

Shortly after Oliveira’s video began circulating, Mateusz Gamrot made his intentions clear:

“Respect [Oliveira]. But I told UFC straight I want to face you in your own house. This will be a true masterclass on the ground, and I’m ready to prove it.”

What’s at Stake

Oliveira (35-11, 1 NC) is seeking redemption after suffering a first-round knockout loss to Ilia Topuria in June. Headlining UFC Rio would give the Brazilian fan favorite a chance to reestablish himself in front of a home crowd.

But with time running out, the UFC still has to finalize whether a new opponent will step in to preserve Oliveira’s slot in the main event.