Charles Oliveira, after suffering the hardest knockout of his career less than four months ago, achieved a triumphant return in Rio de Janeiro. Oliveira (36-11) submitted Mateusz Gamrot (25-4) with a rear-naked choke at 2:48 of the second round in the main event of UFC Fight Night at the Farmasi Arena. This victory came just 105 days after Oliveira was knocked out in a lightweight title fight by Ilia Topuria. Many in the sports world feared that Oliveira would rush back to headline his first appearance in his home country, Brazil, since 2020, but there seemed to be no after-effects from the defeat.
The finish of the fight added more value to Oliveira’s legacy, worthy of the Hall of Fame. He extended his UFC records in finishes (21) and submissions (17). He tied with Neil Magny for the most wins in UFC history with 24, only behind Jim Miller’s 27. Immediately after the victory, Oliveira reiterated his proposal to face the BMF champion and lightweight ranked Max Holloway. Both fighters faced each other more than a decade ago, in 2015. Holloway defeated Oliveira in a featherweight bout that had an unusual ending, when Oliveira fell to the canvas due to what he later described as an esophageal injury.I’m holding back the tears right now. This is for you, the Brazilian fans. This isn’t about money, fame, or status. This is for Brazil.
Charles Oliveira
The fight was a characteristic performance from Oliveira from the start. He pursued Gamrot with his usual high-volume Muay Thai style. Gamrot, who replaced Rafael Fiziev with little notice, 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 essentially been waiting for since March 2020, when he headlined an event in Brazil on an empty stage 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. Oliveira was already ranked as the number 4 lightweight in the UFC before the victory. Gamrot was ranked number 8. Holloway (27-8) is coming off a five-round decision over Dustin Poirier in July, after which Holloway said he would likely miss the rest of 2025 due to a right hand injury.Charles Oliveira, Max Holloway, BMF. Let’s make this happen.
Charles Oliveira
