Carlos Prates opines that selecting Rafael Fiziyev as an opponent for Charles Olivier is not a logical decision.
Charles Oliveira and Rafael Fiziev Set to Clash in UFC Rio Main Event
Charles Oliveira, a fourth-degree black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and former UFC Lightweight Champion, will face off against Rafael Fiziev in the main event of UFC Rio on October 12. This highly anticipated matchup promises a classic striker vs. grappler showdown.
Oliveira, born in the favela of Vicente de Carvalho, Guarujá, São Paulo, Brazil, has built an impressive career in the UFC. Known for his elite grappling and submission skills, he holds UFC records for most submission wins (16), most finishes (20), and most bonuses (20) in UFC history.
Fiziev, known for his striking and kickboxing background, presents a formidable opponent. Details about his background are not widely available, but he is regarded as a skilled and powerful fighter by Oliveira's former sparring partner, Carlos Prates.
Prates, a top welterweight and former training partner of Oliveira, spoke about the upcoming bout in an interview. He described Fiziev as not at all like the "typical Russian," remembering him as a very nice guy. However, he also noted that Fiziev's punches are so strong that he constantly injured his hands.
Oliveira, in an interview with Ag.Fight, responded to Prates' comments, stating that the fight improves the show. He approached the fight with motivation and a clear plan, according to Prates. Oliveira disagreed with the criticism of his opponent choice and stated that UFC wanted to save the card with his name for the fight against Fiziev.
In preparation for the fight, Oliveira will likely focus on intensive Brazilian jiu-jitsu refinement, striking improvements, and conditioning to maintain his aggressive finishing pace. Given Fiziev's striking prowess, Oliveira will likely aim to bring the fight to the ground where he can exploit his submission skills.
The fight's outcome will depend on Oliveira's ability to control range and movement and Fiziev's ability to keep the fight standing and defend takedowns. This promises to be an exciting and unpredictable matchup that fans won't want to miss.
| Aspect | Charles Oliveira | Rafael Fiziev (Background) | |----------------------|-----------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------| | Origin | Favela of Guarujá, Brazil | (Not provided in search results) | | Martial arts base | 4th degree black belt Brazilian jiu-jitsu| Kickboxing / striking | | UFC Status | Former Lightweight Champion, ranked #4 | (Current ranking not listed) | | Fighting style | Submission specialist, versatile finisher| Striking-focused, powerful kickboxer | | Key advantage in fight | Ground control and submissions | Superior striking and movement |
This matchup at UFC Rio represents a classic striker vs. grappler showdown, with Oliveira’s grappling and submission expertise pitted against Fiziev’s striking skill. Stay tuned for more updates on this highly anticipated fight!
Bookmakers are likely to see this sports event, featuring Charles Oliveira and Rafael Fiziev in a mixed-martial-arts bout, as a unique challenge, given Oliveira's expertise in grappling and submission and Fiziev's striking prowess. As the fight nears, fans, as well as experts, are eagerly anticipating how the different fighting styles of these two fighters will play out in the octagon.
