After suffering the toughest knockout of his career less than four months ago, Charles Oliveira made a grand return to his home country, Brazil, last Saturday 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 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 was returning too soon to headline his first appearance in his home country since 2020, but there appeared to be no after-effects from the defeat.
This victory adds to 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. Immediately after the victory, Oliveira reiterated his proposal to face the BMF champion and ranked lightweight Max Holloway, a fight that dates back to 2015. Oliveira said: “Charles Oliveira, Max Holloway, BMF. Let’s make this happen.” It was a characteristic performance from Oliveira from the first second. He pressured Gamrot with his high-volume Muay Thai style. Gamrot, who entered on short notice as a replacement for 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 the position and take Gamrot’s back. Both lightweights exchanged blows in the second round until Oliveira managed a body lock 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 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 be out for 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
