Charles Oliveira def. Mateusz Gamrot via submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:48 of Round 2

Less than four months after suffering the worst knockout loss of his career, Charles Oliveira made a return home to Brazil on Saturday in Rio de Janeiro, with a second-round submission win over Mateusz Gamrot.

Oliveira (36-11) submitted Gamrot (25-4) via rear-naked choke at 2:48 of Round 2 in the main event inside Farmasi Arena. The win came just 105 days after his knockout loss to Ilia Topuria in a lightweight title fight. Many questioned whether Oliveira was returning too soon, especially to headline his first bout in Brazil since 2020, but he showed no lingering effects from that loss.

From the opening bell, Oliveira was aggressive, initiating grappling exchanges early and maintaining control throughout. He relentlessly hunted submissions, repeatedly securing dominant positions while stifling Gamrot’s offense. In the second round, after elevating Gamrot and taking him to the mat, Oliveira swiftly climbed onto his opponent’s back and locked in the choke, forcing a quick tap.

It was a vintage performance from the Brazilian. Oliveira pressured forward with his signature upright Muay Thai stance, mixing crisp striking with jiu-jitsu. Gamrot, who stepped in on short notice for the injured Rafael Fiziev, managed an early takedown in the first round, but Oliveira reversed position to take his back. In the second round, Oliveira secured a body lock, lifted Gamrot, and finished the fight with a submission, a fitting moment for his long-awaited return in front of a home crowd.

The win further cemented Oliveira’s Hall of Fame-worthy career. He extended his all-time UFC records for finishes (21) and submissions (17) while tying Neil Magny for the second most wins in UFC history (24), just 3 wins behind Jim Miller’s 27.

After the fight, Oliveira called out BMF champion Max Holloway. The two first met in 2015, a featherweight bout that ended in unusual fashion when Oliveira suffered an esophageal injury.

UFC Fight Night: Oliveira vs Gamrot Results

• Main Event: Charles Oliveira def. Mateusz Gamrot via submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:48 of Round 2
• Deiveson Figueiredo def. Montel Jackson via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
• Joel Alvarez def. Vicente Luque via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26)
• Mario Pinto def. Jhonata Diniz via TKO (strikes) at 4:10 of Round 2
• Kaan Ofli def. Ricardo Ramos via submission (rear naked choke) at 3:02 of Round 1
• Michael Aswell Jr. def. Lucas Almeida via TKO (strikes) at 1:42 of Round 1
• Jafel Filho def. Clayton Carpenter via submission (kimura) at 4:42 of Round 1
• Vitor Petrino def. Thomas Petersen via KO (uppercuts) at 0:26 of Round 3
• Bia Mesquita def. Irina Alekseeva via submission (rear naked choke) at 2:14 of Round 2
• Lucas Rocha def. Stewart Nicoll via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Julia Polastri def. Karolina Kowalkiewicz via TKO (head kick and strikes) at 2:56 of Round 3
• Luan Lacerda def. Saimon Oliveira via verbal submission (armbar) at 3:55 of Round 2