UFC 317 was perhaps the worst-case scenario for Charles Oliveira. Not only did he lose the opportunity to regain the lightweight title belt, but he also got brutally knocked out by Ilia Topuria in under three minutes. And just like that, he became the third jewel in the Spaniard’s streak of sending legends to the shadow realm after Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway. The Brazilian paid his respects to Topuria, but many fans speculated that ‘Do Bronx’ would go on a long hiatus to recover after such devastation.
But that is not the case. Instead, Oliveira is now scheduled to face #10-ranked Rafael Fiziev at UFC Rio and his first fight in Brazil in over five years. Adding to that, the Brazilian has rubbished any worries of taking the fight way too soon.
Charles Oliveira Shifts Focus Beyond UFC 317 and Prepares for New Challenge
For context, Oliveira is now 1-2 in his last three fights and finds himself in a precarious spot. Adding to the challenge, he’s making a quick turnaround, just 105 days after his last bout (June 28 to October 11), to face a dangerous striker like Fiziev in his hometown.
Many have questioned whether this decision could backfire, especially coming off the first knockout loss of his decorated career. In a recent appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, Oliveira addressed the criticism.
He said, “There are people making comments [about the return], but they’re making the comments out of the goodness of their hearts.”
The former champion emphasized that his focus is firmly on the future. “Things that happened in the past have already passed. I’m not gonna be bringing them up again. This is a new fight, a new place. I’m just really grateful to have this opportunity and keep doing what I’m supposed to do, regardless of those who want to speak badly about me.”
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Charles Oliveira addresses concerns about quick return after KO loss to Ilia Topuria:
“Things that happened in the past have already passed. I’m not gonna be bringing them up again. This is a new fight, a new place.
I’m just really grateful to have this opportunity and keep… pic.twitter.com/CcoMDG2Hnr
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) September 10, 2025
Now 35, Oliveira has competed in 46 MMA fights, with 34 of them taking place inside the Octagon since his UFC debut in 2010. As he enters what could be the final stretch of his career, Oliveira admitted he was eager to return quickly in a big fight.
Following his UFC 317 loss, the outpouring of support he received only fueled his motivation. He’s determined to prove to the world that he’s far from finished. On these lines, the Brazilian rejected rumors of retirement as well.
He said in the interview, “I really don’t think about this desire to retire. I think I’m doing well. I think I’m in a good phase right now.”
He added, “I think there’s still a lot to happen, a lot I can show. I feel a lot of pleasure in doing what I’m doing.”
Charles Oliveira has no plans to retire anytime soon:
“I really don’t think about this desire to retire. I think I’m doing well. I think I’m in a good phase, right now.
I think there’s still a lot to happen, a lot I can show. I feel a lot of pleasure in doing what I’m doing.” pic.twitter.com/2TE3lnyjOO
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) September 10, 2025
Charles Oliveira has been a staple of the lightweight elite for nearly a decade and had a 11-fight winning streak until his loss to Islam Makhachev at UFC 280. And while Topuria’s arrival at 155lbs shook the division, the Brazilian doesn’t see his June loss as anything more dramatic than the other setbacks he’s overcome in his career.
When the UFC offered him Fiziev, it wasn’t the opponent that caught Oliveira’s attention. It was the location. Fighting at home has always brought out the best in him, as he remains a perfect 17-0 in professional bouts on Brazilian soil. He’s focused on the present and proving he still belongs among the best.
The last time Oliveira fought in Brazil was in 2020, when he faced Kevin Lee behind closed doors due to COVID restrictions. At that point, the former champion had won six straight fights and proven to the company that he had turned his career around, establishing himself as a true lightweight contender.
That fight nearly fell apart when Lee missed weight, coming in over the lightweight limit. Luckily, both fighters agreed to a catchweight bout, with Lee forfeiting 20% of his purse. Oliveira went on to secure a third-round guillotine choke, adding to his record for most submissions in UFC history and extending his winning streak.
