After suffering the toughest knockout of his career less than four months ago, Charles Oliveira shone in his triumphant return to 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. This victory came just 105 days after Oliveira was knocked out in a lightweight title fight against 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 after-effects from the defeat.
This triumph expands 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, surpassed only by 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 right now. This is for you, the Brazilian fans. This isn’t 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 replaced Rafael Fiziev with little anticipation, 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 clinch and lifted Gamrot off the ground. Finally, Oliveira took Gamrot’s back and applied the chokehold. This 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. Before this victory, Oliveira was already ranked as the number 4 lightweight in the UFC. 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.Charles Oliveira, Max Holloway, BMF. Let’s make this happen.
Charles Oliveira
