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 was returning 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 triumph expands Oliveira’s legacy, already worthy of the Hall of Fame. He increased his UFC records for finishes (21) and submissions (17). He tied Neil Magny for the most wins in UFC history with 24, trailing only Jim Miller, who has 27. Immediately after the victory, Oliveira reiterated his proposal to face the BMF champion and lightweight ranked Max Holloway. The fight was a characteristic performance from Oliveira from the start. He pursued Gamrot with his high-volume Muay Thai style. Gamrot, who replaced Rafael Fiziev on short 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.I’m trying to hold 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 two lightweights exchanged blows in the second round until Oliveira managed a body grip 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.
