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Charles Oliveira Returns Back Home

Originally posted on Dice City Sports | By Robert LaMar | Last updated Aug 9, 2025 10:37 AM ET

Former UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira will make his long awaited return to Brazilian soil. When he faces fellow striker Rafael Fiziev in the main event of UFC Rio. Scheduled for October 11 at Farmasi Arena in Rio de Janeiro, the UFC officially announced Thursday.

The high stakes lightweight bout marks Oliveira’s first fight in his home country since March 2020. When he submitted Kevin Lee in a headlining bout during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. The matchup with Fiziev was first reported by Laerte Viana.

Breaking: Charles Oliveira will face off against Rafael Fiziev in a lightweight main event fight in Rio de Janeiro on October 11. pic.twitter.com/g6KROwdp2a

— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) August 7, 2025

Oliveira (35-11, 1 NC) will look to rebound. After a brutal first-round knockout loss to Ilia Topuria in June at UFC 317 a fight that saw him fall short in his bid to reclaim the vacant lightweight title. The 35 year old Brazilian has alternated wins and losses in his past six appearances, with his recent setbacks casting uncertainty over his future as a top contender.

Standing across from him will be Fiziev (13-4), a dynamic Muay Thai specialist who recently snapped a three fight losing streak with a unanimous decision victory over Ignacio Bahamondes in his native Azerbaijan at UFC 313 this past June. Once considered a surging title contender. Fiziev was on a six fight winning streak before dropping a competitive majority decision to Justin Gaethje at UFC 286.

Fiziev’s momentum was further derailed by a knee injury suffered in a 2023 bout against Mateusz Gamrot, which sidelined him for nearly 18 months. His return at UFC 313 marked an important bounce back, and he’ll now face another major test against the former champion in hostile territory.

This article first appeared on Dice City Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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