After a five-year hiatus from fighting on home soil, former UFC Lightweight Champion Charles Oliveira is ready to headline UFC Fight Night 261 in Rio de Janeiro against Rafael Fiziev. The event, scheduled for October 11, 2025, at Farmasi Arena marks Oliveira’s much-anticipated return to Brazil, where he has long been one in every of the game’s biggest stars.
RIO ARE YOU READY?? 🇧🇷@CharlesDoBronxs will fight in Brazil for the primary time in over 5 YEARS within the #UFCRio primary event against @RafaelFiziev! pic.twitter.com/S5aNZo1lW3
— UFC (@ufc) August 7, 2025
A Homecoming Crammed with High Stakes for Charles Oliveira
For Charles Oliveira, this bout is greater than only a fight, it’s a homecoming. The Brazilian star last fought in his native country back in March 2020, and he returns amid a career-defining stretch. Fresh off a loss to Ilia Topuria this summer, Oliveira is desirous to reassert himself as a top contender within the deeply competitive lightweight division. Known for his dynamic and aggressive style, especially his unparalleled submission game, essentially the most in UFC history, Oliveira intends to make use of this primary event as a platform to bounce back and secure one other shot on the title in 2026.
I at all times enjoy watching Charles Oliveira guillotine Kevin Lee 🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/C7UBPAqp8Q
— Sobervated Brock 🥃 (Fan of Brock Lesnar) (@SobervatedConor) November 28, 2023
This UFC Fight Night marks the promotion’s first visit to Rio since UFC 301 in May 2024 and its first Fight Night event in the town since 2015, making the occasion special for each the promotion and the passionate Brazilian fanbase. Organizers are promising an electrifying atmosphere that can remind fight fans of why Rio stays one in every of MMA’s historic hotbeds.
Rafael Fiziev’s Opportunity to Rise
Opposite Oliveira stands Rafael Fiziev, a robust striker who has recently halted a difficult three-fight losing skid with a powerful victory over Ignacio Bahamondes. Fiziev’s trajectory over the past yr has been a testament to his resilience and evolving skill set, and he now has a major opportunity to cement his status among the many lightweight elite.
Fiziev – Bahamondes moments
— მმმმმგ (@qartvelo0) June 22, 2025
A win over Oliveira on this high-profile primary event could catapult Fiziev into the highest five rankings, positioning him as a serious title challenger within the division. The stakes for each fighters could hardly be higher: while Oliveira seeks redemption on home turf, Fiziev is hungry to prove he belongs on the championship level.
The Oliveira-Fiziev matchup contains a classic clash of styles. Oliveira’s well-rounded skills and trademark grappling lethality shall be tested against Fiziev’s precise and aggressive striking. Fans can expect a fast-paced, technically wealthy contest that showcases the most effective features of MMA.
UFC Rio Confirmed Bouts
Set for five rounds because the official primary event, this fight guarantees to deliver drama and excitement. The winner won’t only claim bragging rights in a serious UFC event but additionally bolster their path towards title contention throughout the lightweight division.
With two of the division’s top contenders facing off in front of a fervent Brazilian crowd, UFC Fight Night 261 in Rio is shaping as much as be one in every of the must-watch MMA events of the yr.
Listed here are the confirmed bouts thus far for this historical event:
- Charles Oliveira vs. Rafael Fiziev – Predominant Event
- Vitor Petrino vs. Thomas Petersen
- Julia Polastri vs. Karolina Kowalkiewicz
- Lucas Rocha vs. Stewart Nicoll
- Jhonata Diniz vs. Mario Pinto
- Irina Alekseeva vs. Beatriz Mesquita
This event underscores the UFC’s continued investment in Brazil as a critical market, celebrating its fighters and legendary venues. As Oliveira steps back into the octagon in his homeland, fans eagerly await possibly one of the vital memorable nights in recent UFC history.
Because the countdown to UFC Fight Night 261 continues, the stakes couldn’t be higher for Charles Oliveira and Rafael Fiziev. Oliveira’s return to Brazilian soil isn’t only a fight; it’s an announcement, about his resilience, his passion, and his intent to reclaim his spot at the highest of the lightweight division. For the Brazilian fans, this event is a probability to rejoice one in every of their very own, a fighter whose name is etched deeply into the game’s history.
Meanwhile, Fiziev arrives with every part to realize, desirous to silence doubts and prove that his striking and heart can overcome one in every of MMA’s most formidable grapplers. Their contrasting styles, Oliveira’s grappling mastery against Fiziev’s striking precision, set the stage for an unforgettable clash that might redefine the trajectories of each athletes.
Ultimately, UFC Rio won’t just be one other event; it’s going to be a pivotal moment in MMA history. Whether it sparks Oliveira’s resurgence or launches Fiziev into the highlight, fans should prepare for an exciting night of elite competition and unforgettable moments in the guts of Brazil.