Rafael Fiziev pulled out with an undisclosed injury vs Charles Oliveira for UFC Rio - Oct 11th. With many fighters putting their name in to step forward including Renato Moicano, Diego Lopes, some even reccomended the Chandler trilogy. However Mateusz Gamrot was the name the UFC accepted and the polish wrestler is now stepping in to headline UFC Rio. Charles is coming off of a loss to Ilia Topuria and Mateusz Gamrot shut down Ludovit Klein last time around. Here’s my thoughts on matchmaking the winner and loser. As usual, here is how the division looks rn: (C) Topuria - Unbooked, Just beat Oliveira. (1) Makachev - Moving up to WW. (2) Tsarukyan - Unbooked, looking for a title shot. (3) Holloway - Unbooked, just beat Porier. (4) Oliveira - Booked vs Gamrot, UFC Rio. (5) Gaethje - Unbooked, wants a title shot. (6) Hooker - Unbooked, beat Gamrot a year ago. (7) Pimblett - Unbooked, beat Chandler last. (8) Gamrot - Booked vs Oliveira - UFC Rio (9) Dariush - Unbooked, Beat Moicano last June. (10) Fiziev - Unbooked, pulled out vs Oliveira. (11) Moicano - Unbooked, lost to Dariush last. (12) Chandler - Unbooked, lost to Pimblett last. (13) BSD - Unbooked, just beat Ruffy. (14) Dawson - Unbooked, beat Ferreira last. (15) Ruffy - Unbooked, just lost to BSD. With every outcome I will say my best recommendation and 2nd best. Outcome 1: Charles Oliveira wins. 🇧🇷 Kind of stuck in the middle of fighting up or down, likely fights a fighter looking to climb rankings. 1st choice: Dan Hooker 🇦🇺 Dan is really inactive and will probaly fight again later this year, no matter the outcome, vs Oliveira is a good matchup. 2nd Choice: Next big winner (BSD/Dariush) 🇫🇷🇺🇸 If one of Dariush or BSD wins their next fight, Charles would be a reasonable matchup for them. Also in outcome 1: Mateusz Gamrot loses. 🇵🇱 1st Choice: Next big winner (BSD/Dariush) 🇫🇷🇺🇸 Again, this would be a chance for one of these fighters to climb the rankings with a guy likely fighting down. 2nd Choice: Rafael Fiziev 🇦🇿 Although he pulled out, he deserves to fight upwards after his win over Bahamondes - Gamrot would be reasonable. Outcome 2: Mateusz Gamrot wins. 🇵🇱 1st Choice: Justin Gaethje 🇺🇸 (if no title shot). Justin gaethje is basically begging for an undeserved title shot after beating Fiziev. If gamrot wins, he jumps to Rank No.4 which is a good title eliminator vs Gaethje. 2nd Choice: Paddy Pimblett (If no title shot). 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 If paddy dosent get the shot, this is also a great option - would be an unreal fight on the floor, wrestler vs bjj. Also scenario 2: Charles Oliveira loses. 🇧🇷 Option 1: Retirement. 😢 Although I hate to say it, if Oliveira loses, he goes down to rank no.8 which is pretty bad thinking he was no.2 two fights ago. If he loses to Gamrot and keeps fighting, I can see a similar scenario to Tony Ferguson where he goes on a long losing streak, Charles is 35 now and NONE of the UFC community wants to see him on a decline. 2nd Choice: Rafael Fiziev 🇦🇿 If Charles dosent retire, the fight that was meant to happen should just go ahead with him and Fiziev as it does make sense. Overall, that’s my thoughts but if you’s think any different make sure to let me know. 🔥