Rafael Fiziev is out of the Oct 11 UFC Rio main event versus Charles “Do Bronx” Oliveira due to injury. Multiple outlets report the withdrawal and that matchmakers are pushing to keep Oliveira on the card at Farmasi Arena, Rio de Janeiro (U.S. broadcast: ESPN+). ESPN.com+3ESPN.com+3MMA Fighting+3
Quick facts
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Event / date: UFC Fight Night — Saturday, Oct 11, 2025
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Venue: Farmasi Arena, Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) UFC
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Main-event status: Fiziev injured and out; replacement TBA. ESPN.com+1
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U.S. broadcast: ESPN+ (check local partners outside the U.S.). ESPN.com
What changed (timeline)
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Yesterday: reports confirm Fiziev withdrew with an injury; UFC exploring options to keep Oliveira on the bill. ESPN.com+1
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Now: matchmaking effort is active—“make mountains move” to preserve the headliner. MMAmania.com
Who could step in? (early chatter)
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Renato Moicano — floated as a realistic short-notice option. MMAmania.com
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Other names linked by outlets: Mateusz Gamrot, Benoît Saint Denis (availability/logistics dependent). Bloody Elbow
Status: no official replacement announced at press time.
Why the UFC wants Oliveira on top in Rio (quick)
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First Oliveira headliner in Brazil since 2020—major local draw, tickets, and attention. MMA Fighting
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Card identity centers on “Do Bronx”; keeping him in the main protects marketing momentum. MMAmania.com
Tactical snapshots (if these matchups happen)
Oliveira vs. Moicano
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Read: composed kickboxing, level-changes from both; Oliveira’s back-take chains and front-headlock series are the swing factors.
Oliveira vs. Gamrot
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Read: scramble-heavy; half-guard wars and mat returns decide minutes. Whoever owns back control tends to bank rounds.
Oliveira vs. B. Saint Denis
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Read: French pressure and durability versus Oliveira’s ability to snatch the neck during transitions—high-risk/high-reward.
(Style notes synthesized from recent fights; replacement still TBA.)
How to watch
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United States: ESPN+ (times per ESPN Fightcenter listing).
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Elsewhere: check your regional UFC broadcast partners. ESPN.com
Update checklist (when the new opponent is official)
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Opponent + rounds/weight class (note any catchweight).
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Poster and bout order refresh.
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Local times for doors, weigh-ins, and ceremonial face-offs.
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Compact tale-of-the-tape and recent form for both.
The injury to Rafael Fiziev shakes up UFC Rio, but the priority is clear: keep Charles Oliveira headlining on Oct 11 in front of home fans. A replacement announcement is expected soon; once it lands, the matchup dynamics and the event’s marketing centerpiece snap back into focus. ESPN.com+2MMA Fighting+2
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Comment: who’s the best dance partner for “Do Bronx”—Moicano, Gamrot, or BSD?
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Subscribe: get the official replacement and our full pre-fight breakdown as soon as it’s confirmed.