If Charles Oliveira fails to have his hand raised this Saturday night, `The Diamond` may well play a pivotal part in the outcome.
Local interest in the UFC Rio lineup will reach its peak as one of the sport’s leading stars steps into the Octagon for the main event. Following Rafael Fiziev`s withdrawal, former UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira will now face Mateusz Gamrot in a short-notice headliner, presenting a significant opportunity for the Polish standout.
`Do Bronx` remains determined to reclaim the 155-pound gold. He hasn`t left a fight with the title in his possession since UFC 269 in December 2021, an event that concluded with Oliveira submitting Dustin Poirier in the third round.
Now, a few years later, `The Diamond` is looking to indirectly `avenge` that result by assisting a teammate in securing a victory over the Brazilian fan favorite.
Mateusz Gamrot Reveals `Game-Changing` Intel from Dustin Poirier on Charles Oliveira
Gamrot has been one of Poirier’s main training partners during the latter part of his career. Given Poirier`s significant experience, including having shared the cage with Oliveira, his unique insight into the Brazilian’s game could provide `Gamer` with a crucial advantage.
The No. 8-ranked lightweight hinted at this during media day on Wednesday, even suggesting that Poirier has given him some `game-changing` information about Oliveira.
“I am not afraid of anything Charles wants to bring to the Octagon,” Gamrot said.
“He’s super dangerous on the ground, but I see some holes in his game. I see this, and I go there, and the fight’s going to be over.”
Gamrot continued to elaborate on Poirier`s contribution:
“(Poirier) gave me a lot of advice. He told me how I need to fight with Charles.
“But I can’t say right now what he told me. But this is big information for me. I think this is going to be a game-changer during this fight.”
Charles Oliveira Firmly Rejects Retirement Talk
While Dustin Poirier recently concluded his trilogy with Max Holloway and has been contemplating retirement, Charles Oliveira, competing on home soil this Saturday, will not be making a similar farewell.
Despite some suggestions for Oliveira to retire following his knockout loss to Ilia Topuria, `Do Bronx` has firmly rejected any talk of hanging up his gloves.
“The retirement talk is in your guys’ head,” Oliveira said in a fight week interview with MMA Junkie.
“I’ve never said anything about retiring. … Every interview I give, people talk ‘retirement, retirement.’ At no point have I ever thought or contemplated about that, but all the questions are the same.”
He emphatically added:
“I’m not thinking about it.”
In addition to maintaining hope for another lightweight title shot, Oliveira has even playfully expressed interest in a hypothetical fight against Conor McGregor at the White House in 2026.
