After suffering the toughest knockout of his career less than four months ago, Charles Oliveira returned home with a spectacular victory 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 by Ilia Topuria in a lightweight title fight. Many in the sport 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.
This triumph expands Oliveira’s legacy, worthy of the Hall of Fame. He increased 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. Immediately after the victory, Oliveira reiterated his proposal to face the BMF champion and ranked lightweight Max Holloway, whom he already faced in 2015. It was a characteristic performance from Oliveira from the start. He pursued Gamrot with his high-volume Muay Thai style. Gamrot, who entered on short notice in place of Rafael Fiziev, took Oliveira down in the first half of the first round, but Oliveira used the threat of an omoplata to reverse the position and take Gamrot’s back. The two lightweights exchanged blows in the second round until Oliveira secured a bodylock and lifted Gamrot off the ground. Eventually, Oliveira took Gamrot’s back and applied the choke. It was a moment that Oliveira had been waiting for essentially 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. Oliveira was already the UFC’s number 4 lightweight before the victory. Gamrot was at 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.I’m trying to hold back the tears right now. This is for you, the Brazilian fans. This is not about money, fame, or status. This is for Brazil.
Charles Oliveira
