Charles Oliveira reminded the world why he’s one of the most dangerous finishers in MMA history — and he did it in front of his home crowd in Rio de Janeiro.
The former lightweight champion returned to action in spectacular fashion at UFC Rio, dominating Mateusz Gamrot before securing a second-round submission victory via rear-naked choke. The win marked Oliveira’s 17th career submission, extending his UFC record, and kept him undefeated in Brazil (18-0).
From the opening bell, Oliveira looked sharp and aggressive. He pressured Gamrot relentlessly, connecting with clean strikes before dragging the fight to the mat. Once there, the Brazilian jiu-jitsu ace showcased his trademark grappling, attacking with multiple submission attempts before finally locking in a brutal choke that forced Gamrot to tap at 2:48 of Round 2.
“I’m trying to hold back the tears right now,” Oliveira said emotionally after the fight. “This is all for you guys. This is not about money or fame. This is Brazil!”
After celebrating with his family inside the Octagon, Oliveira wasted no time calling for a “BMF” title fight against Max Holloway, hoping to avenge their 2015 bout that ended prematurely due to injury.
“Hey Hunter [Campbell], Charles Oliveira and Max Holloway — BMF, let’s make that happen,” Oliveira shouted, addressing the UFC’s brass cageside.
If the UFC books it, the matchup would pit two fan-favorite legends with relentless pace and elite striking — and could easily headline a major pay-per-view event.
With this latest win, Oliveira has not only silenced any doubts after his loss to Ilia Topuria but also reignited talks about his path back to UFC gold.
🏆 Key Highlights
- Result: Charles Oliveira def. Mateusz Gamrot via submission (RNC), Round 2 (2:48)
- Event: UFC Rio
- Record: Oliveira improves to 35–10 (1 NC), extends submission record to 17
- Next Target: Max Holloway for the BMF title