After suffering the toughest knockout of his career less than four months ago, Charles Oliveira starred in a triumphant return in Rio de Janeiro on Saturday. 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. The victory came just 105 days after Oliveira was knocked out in a lightweight title fight by Ilia Topuria. Many in the sport feared that Oliveira was rushing back too soon to headline his first appearance in his home country, Brazil, since 2020, but there appeared to be no lingering effects from the loss.
This victory broadens 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, behind only Jim Miller’s 27. Immediately after the victory, Oliveira reiterated his proposal to face the BMF champion and ranked lightweight Max Holloway, whom he faced more than a decade ago 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
It was a characteristic performance from Oliveira from the first second. He pressured 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 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 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”, Oliveira said. “Let’s make this happen.
Charles Oliveira
