After suffering the hardest knockout of his career less than four months ago, Charles Oliveira returned in style to his country, Brazil, securing an impressive victory in Rio de Janeiro. Oliveira (36-11) submitted Mateusz Gamrot (25-4) with a rear-naked choke at 2 minutes and 48 seconds of the second round, in the main event of the UFC Fight Night held at the Farmasi Arena. This victory came just 105 days after Oliveira was knocked out in a lightweight title fight against Ilia Topuria. Many in the sports world feared that Oliveira would rush back to headline his first appearance in his home country since 2020, but there seemed to be no after-effects of the defeat.
This triumph further solidifies Oliveira’s legacy, worthy of the Hall of Fame. He extended his UFC records for finishes (21) and submissions (17). In addition, he tied with Neil Magny for the most wins in UFC history with 24, only behind Jim Miller’s 27 victories. Immediately after the victory, Oliveira reiterated his proposal to face the BMF champion and ranked lightweight Max Holloway, whom he already faced in 2015.“I’m trying to hold back the tears at this moment,” Oliveira said through an interpreter. “This is for you, the Brazilian fans. This is not about money, fame, or status. This is for Brazil.
Charles Oliveira
The fight was a display of Oliveira’s characteristic style from the start. He pressured Gamrot with his usual high-volume Muay Thai style. Gamrot, who entered the fight on short notice in place of the injured Rafael Fiziev, took Oliveira down in the first half of the first round, but Oliveira used the threat of an omoplata to reverse position and take Gamrot’s back. In the second round, both lightweights exchanged blows until Oliveira managed a bodylock and lifted Gamrot off the ground. Finally, Oliveira took Gamrot’s back and applied the choke. It was a moment that Oliveira had been waiting for since March 2020, when he headlined an event in Brazil in an empty stadium due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He then won the UFC championship in 2021, but never had the opportunity to defend his belt in Brazil. Before this victory, Oliveira was already ranked as the number 4 lightweight in the UFC. Gamrot was ranked number 8. Holloway (27-8) is coming off a decision after five rounds against Dustin Poirier in July, after which Holloway said he would likely be out for the rest of 2025 due to a right hand injury.Charles Oliveira, Max Holloway, BMF. Let’s make this happen.
Charles Oliveira