Charles Oliveira’s main event against Mateusz Gamrot at UFC Rio could carry the fingerprints of a familiar rival — Dustin Poirier.
Oliveira, the former lightweight champion, headlines in Brazil looking to climb back toward the title he last held in 2021 — when he submitted Poirier at UFC 269.
Now, four years later, Poirier may indirectly shape the outcome of Oliveira’s return bout. Gamrot, who trained extensively with “The Diamond,” says he’s been given valuable insight from the former interim champ.
“(Poirier) gave me a lot of advice,” Gamrot revealed. “He told me how I need to fight with Charles. I can’t say what he told me, but it’s big information — a game-changer.”
Gamrot insists he’s ready for Oliveira’s dangerous ground game, claiming to have spotted key weaknesses from Poirier’s firsthand experience.
While Poirier has stepped away from competition after his trilogy win over Max Holloway, Oliveira has dismissed any talk of retirement.
“The retirement talk is in your guys’ head,” Oliveira told MMA Junkie. “I’ve never said anything about retiring. I’m still chasing that belt.”
With Poirier’s strategic insights in Gamrot’s corner and Oliveira’s determination to reclaim gold, UFC Rio’s main event could become one of the most telling lightweight battles of the year.
