Mateusz Gamrot is seizing the moment. With Rafael Fiziev sidelined by injury, the Polish contender has stepped in on short notice to face former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira in the main event of UFC Rio, a high-stakes clash that could reshape the division’s title picture.
Gamrot (25-3) is coming off a decision victory over Ludovit Klein in May at the UFC APEX. Known for his relentless grappling and pace Gamrot brings a dangerous stylistic challenge for Oliveira, who remains one of the division’s most feared finishers.
The matchup preserves a high-stakes headliner for Rio de Janeiro, with potential title implications hanging in the balance.
Oliveira (35-11) is coming off a brutal knockout loss to lightweight champion Ilia Topuria at UFC 317, a setback in his bid to reclaim the title he first lost at UFC 274 after missing weight. To this day losing his belt on the scale continues to be a controversial topic in the MMA world.
DoBronx had taken to social media to criticize lightweight who were calling for a fight with him after Fiziev pulled from the bout.
“Everybody knows my UFC Rio fight is off. But 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.’ They’re posting this on the internet to get hype,” Oliveira said.
“Stop it, it’s not a good look. I saw one saying this, another saying that, but when the UFC calls, what do they say? ‘Oh, I can’t. I got belly ache. I broke a finger. I hurt my hand.’ Enough with that, it’s not a good look.”
Charles Oliveira and Mateusz Gamrot will headline UFC Rio in Brazil on October 11.
