What was supposed to be a homecoming celebration fight for Charles Oliveira suddenly feels like it has a lot more on the line.<\/p>\n
\u201cDo Bronx\u201d was originally scheduled to fight Rafael Fiziev in Saturday\u2019s UFC Rio main event, and while Fiziev is no pushover by any stretch, his replacement, Mateusz Gamrot, presents a different stylistic challenge and seems even more eager to play spoiler. Oliveira has never lost in Brazil and now, just four months after being brutally knocked out by Ilia Topuria, would be an awful time to see that trend ruined.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s a risky fight for Gamrot, too, though a risk he had to take. The sting of a streak-busting loss to Dan Hooker still lingers despite Gamrot having already gotten back on the winning track, and he\u2019s well-aware the opportunity to knock off a former UFC champion still occupying a top 5 ranking doesn\u2019t come along too often. A loss likely relegates to the realm of the also-rans, but victory could move him within range of the title shot he\u2019s been chasing for so long.<\/p>\n
The co-main event features a similar storyline, with former flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo hanging on to his bantamweight title hopes despite two straight losses, and Montel Jackson finally getting the opportunity to add an elite name to his r\u00e9sum\u00e9.<\/p>\n
In other main card action, Vicente Luque welcomes Joel Alvarez to the welterweight division, heavyweights Jhonata Diniz and Mario Pinto go knockout hunting, and featherweights Ricardo Ramos and Kaan Ofli look to start the show with a bang.<\/p>\n
Where: Farmasi Arena in Rio de Janeiro<\/p>\n
When: Saturday, Oct. 11. The seven-fight preliminary card begins at 4 p.m. ET on ESPN+, followed by a five-fight main card at 10 p.m. ET also on ESPN+.<\/p>\n
(Numbers in parentheses indicate standing in the MMA Fight<\/a>i<\/a>ng Global Rankings<\/a> and Pound-for-Pound Rankings<\/a>)<\/p>\n Charles Oliveira (4, P4P-19) vs. Mateusz Gamrot (9)<\/p>\n Did I mention Charles Oliveira has never lost in Brazil?<\/p>\n Yes, Oliveira turns 36 next week, and in fight years it feels like he\u2019s about to turn 50 having grown up in front of our very eyes. Fifteen years ago, Oliveira made his UFC debut as a 20-year-old featherweight with enormously high expectations and despite the rockiest of roads, he somehow met and arguably surpassed them. He remains one of the most exciting fighters in the history of a division packed with future Hall of Famers.<\/p>\n Is the chin gone? One has to ask, was it ever really there? Oliveira has been getting knocked down and made to get back up again since his first walk to the octagon. Remember \u201cCharles Oliveira can\u2019t overcome adversity?\u201d There\u2019s a golden oldie. Ilia Topuria won\u2019t be the last fighter to rock Oliveira. It could happen tonight.<\/p>\n Mateusz Gamrot is known for his grappling, but he\u2019s never shied away from striking and he has plenty of power in those hands. The Oliveira that walked in to Topuria\u2019s fists will fall just the same if he employs that strategy against Gamrot. And I see this as a standup fight, with the fighters neutralizing each other in the wrestling and submission game. So throwing hands it is.<\/p>\n Even then, I like Oliveira\u2019s chances. Yeah, he gets hit, but so does Gamrot, and Oliveira has put plenty of opponents on their butts with his aggressive striking style. Precedent is going to be set and it won\u2019t be Oliveira suffering a Brazilian blemish, but rather Gamrot losing inside the distance for the first time.<\/p>\n Make it 18-0 at home for Oliveira.<\/p>\n Deiveson Figueiredo (7) vs. Montel Jackson<\/p>\n Now if you want to count out a Brazilian veteran, well, Montel Jackson over Deiveson Figueiredo might be the way to go.<\/p>\n