Coach: Fiziev More 'Dangerous' Foe for Oliveira, But Gamrot is 'Tougher'

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The news of Rafael Fiziev's withdrawal from the UFC Rio main event on Oct. 11 brought a few tense days for the UFC, and especially for Charles Oliveira fans.

After all, the event that sold 14,000 tickets in three days. But after much suspense, Mateusz Gamrot was announced as Fiziev's official replacement, saving UFC Rio just over two weeks before it was scheduled to take place.

"I already had people messaging me asking how to get their money back," revealed Charles' manager and trainer, Diego Lima, in an interview with Ag.Fight.

Lima revealed that Benoit St. Denis and Renato Carneiro had already been accepted by the team.

"As soon as the fight was canceled, the first name was St. Denis, who is coming off a victory and would be a great fight. Then he turned it down,” Lima said. “Then Renato Moicano said ‘Great.’ We talked, but then he turned it down.”

Lima: UFC Offered Oliveira ‘Several Unranked’ Opponents

Lima made it clear that Gamrot was the only athlete who made himself available.

"We were offered several unranked names, but it didn't make sense considering Charles' legacy and history. In fact, Gamrot was the only ranked one who made himself available," said the Chute Boxe leader, revealing that at no point were they offered an opponent from another division.

"I saw that Diego Lopes made himself available in a very respectful manner. I think it would be a very cool fight, but I don't think it would be a good time for Lopes, who is coming off a tough war. Which is why I don't think the UFC even considered him."

Faced with a camp entirely centered around strikers, Diego analyzed what changes will be made with Gamrot as the new opponent.

"Fiziev was a more dangerous fighter, due to his knockout power, but he didn't have as refined ground skills, which is why I think Gamrot is a tougher fighter,” Lima said. “He doesn't have the same level of danger as Fiziev, but he's more well-rounded in MMA. He knows how to work to get the results he wants, so much so that he's won most of his fights on decisions. He fights with the rulebook under his belt. But you have to recognize that a fighter who accepts a challenge three weeks before a fight is because he stays trained; that makes him even more dangerous.”

Lima added that Oliveira does not plan to move up to welterweight, as he still makes lightweight very well.