A highly anticipated showdown has been officially set: former UFC Lightweight Champion Charles Oliveira will face Rafael Fiziev in the main event of UFC Fight Night: Oliveira vs. Fiziev on October 11, 2025, at the Farmasi Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This is the first UFC Fight Night to be held in the city since 2015, and Oliveira returns to Brazilian soil nearly five years after his last appearance.
Homecoming Years in the Making
For Oliveira—affectionately known as “Do Bronx”—fighting in Brazil again is deeply personal. In March 2020, he headlined a Fight Night in Brasília, his final appearance in his home country. That memorable fight against Kevin Lee eventually became the UFC’s first-ever event held behind closed doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Returning to Brazilian fans in a significant way is more than just a fight; it is a long-awaited moment of connection and closure for the lightweight veteran.
Oliveira’s Recent Journey: Highs, Lows, and the Road Ahead
Oliveira enters this fight coming off a brutal knockout loss to Ilia Topuria at UFC 317 in June, where he fought for the vacant lightweight title and was defeated in the first round. Despite the setback, he remains ranked fourth in the lightweight division, indicating his status as a legitimate contender.
The rematch against Fiziev provides Oliveira with an important opportunity to rebound, combining redemption and a hometown spectacle in one headline moment.
Rafael Fiziev: A Dangerous and Determined Challenger
Rafael Fiziev, the world’s No. 10 lightweight, will face Oliveira. Fiziev, known for his striking ability and precision, is on the verge of a comeback after a three-fight losing streak to Justin Gaethje and a lengthy injury layoff. He most recently ended that streak with a unanimous decision victory over Ignacio Bahamondes in June, repositioning himself as a threat in the lightweight division.
This fight pits Oliveira’s aggressive grappling style and Brazilian pride against Fiziev’s technical stand-up and late-career momentum.
UFC Rio: A Star-Studded Return to Brazil
UFC Fight Night: Oliveira vs. Fiziev is more than just the main event; it also marks the promotion’s return to Brazilian soil. The card will also include standout debuts and local draws: Bia Mesquita, an ADCC gold medalist, will make her UFC debut in a bantamweight bout against Irina Alekseeva, while two heavyweight matchups—Vitor Petrino vs. Thomas Petersen and Jhonata Diniz vs. Mario Pinto—have also been confirmed.
The event will be broadcast live on ESPN+, allowing fans all over the world to witness this pivotal moment in Oliveira’s career and the UFC’s return to Rio.
What’s at Stake: Redemption, Legacy, and National Pride
This fight carries multiple layers of significance:
For Oliveira: A chance at redemption after his June knockout and an emotional return to his homeland.
For Fiziev: The opportunity to upend a legend and catapult his own standing in the division.
For UFC Brazil: A strategic re-engagement with a passionate market, staging a high-profile event in a city long missing from the elevator of fight fans.
Final Thoughts
Charles Oliveira vs. Rafael Fiziev is expected to be one of the most emotionally charged main events of 2025. Oliveira’s homecoming carries the weight of both anticipation and redemption. Fiziev combines hunger and striking prowess. Together, they provide fans with more than just a fight—a story of resilience and national pride. As the main event of the UFC’s return to Rio, this fight could be a watershed moment in both fighters’ careers—as well as Brazil’s fight-night history.