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By Fernando Quiles Jr
Contributing Sports Writer
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As Charles Oliveira (35-11, 1 NC) enters the main event of UFC Rio, he is laughing off recent comments from rising lightweight Paddy Pimblett. Oliveira's last outing took place back in June, and he suffered a first-round knockout loss to Ilia Topuria in a failed bid to become a two-time UFC Lightweight Champion. After the fight, Pimblett ripped "do Bronxs" by calling him "old" and saying the future UFC Hall of Famer had a "stupid" game plan.
Speaking to Newsweek Sports, Oliveira didn't seem to be fazed by "The Baddy's" harsh words.
"Listen, people are going to say what they want to say, but let's see," Oliveira said through a translator. "I'm going to be ready. I always want to fight, and I'll be ready to fight if needed."
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As far as how he feels about Pimblett's criticism, Oliveira made it clear that he takes it in stride.
"For real? This only makes me laugh," Oliveira said. "That's real talk."
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Charles Oliveira Returns Home
Oliveira will be back inside the Octagon on Saturday. He will collide with late replacement opponent Mateusz Gamrot. It'll be Oliveira's first fight in his home country of Brazil since 2020. Due to the pandemic era, "do Bronxs" hasn't fought in Brazil in front of a live crowd since 2019. He is expecting the atmosphere to be electric.
"Crazy, just crazy," Oliveira said. "It's going to be madness out there. I'm very happy not only to go back and fight again, but also in front of our people."
While Oliveira is happy to be fighting in Rio this weekend, his hopes of returning home to compete were almost dashed. The lightweight veteran was initially expected to meet Rafael Fiziev, who was pulled from the card due to an injury. In the aftermath, "do Bronxs" said there was a real chance he could've been left without an opponent.
"For sure, this fight was, of course, in danger because no one wanted to pick up the fight," Oliveira said. "No one wanted to take me on. I wanted to fight, and thankfully Mateusz wanted the fight, but for sure, that fight came close to not happening."
Oliveira claimed that many lightweights who publicly expressed interest in taking the fight were only speaking out for attention.
"I think it's just hype," Oliveira said. "I think they're just making moves, and they were just trying to move things up."
Responding to Quick Turnaround Concerns
Some fans and even experts have admitted they feel Oliveira took a fight too soon after being knocked out by Topuria. As for "do Bronxs," he simply wanted to stay active.
"Listen, I was the guy that wanted to fight in Brazil the most," Oliveira said. "So, regardless of circumstances, I was the one who wanted to fight the most. All I wanted to do was fight."
Oliveira has heard from those who are worried, but he doesn't share that same concern for his body entering fight night.
"I think people were worried," Oliveira said. "I understand, but all I wanted to do was fight."
Oliveira's ultimate goal is to get himself back in the title conversation, and he thinks a win over Gamrot could go a long way.
"For sure, it puts me closer to a title," Oliveira said. "It takes me towards a title. A win on Saturday just puts me one step ahead for a title."
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