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 in a lightweight title fight by Ilia Topuria. Many in the sport feared that Oliveira would return too soon to his home country, Brazil, to headline his first appearance since 2020, but there seemed to be no after-effects from the defeat.
This victory adds more to his already impressive legacy. Oliveira extended his UFC records for finishes (21) and submissions (17). In addition, he tied 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 lightweight ranked Max Holloway, whom he faced more than a decade ago, in 2015.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
The fight was a display of Oliveira’s characteristic style from the first moment. He walked towards Gamrot with his usual high-volume Muay Thai style. Gamrot, who entered on short notice as a replacement for 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. In the second round, both lightweights exchanged blows until Oliveira secured a bodylock and lifted Gamrot off the ground. Finally, Oliveira took Gamrot’s back and applied the choke. It was a moment 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.Charles Oliveira, Max Holloway, BMF. Let’s make this happen.
Charles Oliveira
Before this victory, Oliveira was already ranked as number 4 in UFC lightweight. 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.
