After suffering the hardest knockout of his career less than four months ago, Charles Oliveira starred in a triumphant return 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 against Ilia Topuria. Many in the sports world feared that Oliveira would return too soon to his native country, Brazil, to headline his first appearance since 2020, but there seemed to be no after-effects from the defeat.
This triumph expands Oliveira’s already impressive legacy, who consolidated his UFC records in finishes (21) and submissions (17). Furthermore, he tied with Neil Magny at the top of the list of victories in UFC history with 24, only behind Jim Miller, who has 27. Immediately after the victory, Oliveira reiterated his proposal to face the BMF champion and ranked lightweight, Max Holloway. Both fighters met more than a decade ago, in 2015, where Holloway defeated Oliveira in a featherweight bout.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
Oliveira’s performance was characteristic from the start. He advanced on Gamrot with his usual Muay Thai style, high volume and upright position. Gamrot, who replaced Rafael Fiziev with little notice, 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 body grip and lifted Gamrot off the ground. Finally, Oliveira took Gamrot’s back and applied the choke. 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. Then, he 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 the 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 stated that he would likely take the rest of 2025 off due to a right hand injury.
