After suffering the toughest knockout of his career less than four months ago, Charles Oliveira made a big comeback in his home country, Brazil, on Saturday 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 held 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 already impressive legacy. He 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 ranked lightweight Max Holloway, a match dating back to 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 quality from the first moment. He walked towards Gamrot with his characteristic high-volume Muay Thai style. Gamrot, who entered as a short-notice 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 managed a bodylock and lifted Gamrot off the ground. Finally, Oliveira took Gamrot’s back and applied the rear-naked choke. This 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.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 points decision over Dustin Poirier in July, after which Holloway said he would likely take the rest of 2025 off due to a right hand injury.
