On one of the most memorable nights at UFC Rio, Charles Oliveira shone in front of his Brazilian fans, securing a decisive victory over Polish fighter Mateusz Gamrot in the second round, in a fierce battle for a spot in the lightweight division’s top five.
This fight was not just a confrontation between two athletes—it was also a critical test of Oliveira’s ability to reclaim his status after his recent knockout loss to Ilia Topuria.
Technical Analysis of the Fight:
From the very first round, the action was intense. Both fighters quickly went to the ground. Despite starting on his back, Oliveira managed to assert control by isolating Gamrot’s arm and constantly seeking submission attempts.
🔥 Le “Do Bronx” fait son grand retour !
Charles Oliveira 🇧🇷 soumet son adversaire au 2ᵉ round, seulement 4 mois après sa défaite choquante contre Topuria.
Tout le monde doutait… mais Charliiiieez est indomptable ! 💥 #UFCRio pic.twitter.com/kYGpX2vjAb
— mmamag.ma (@jamalsoussi10) October 12, 2025
This scenario raises an important question: does Oliveira’s ground game remain decisive even when he begins under pressure?
In the second round, “do Bronxs” demonstrated exceptional tactical intelligence. He exploited his opponent’s weaknesses to take his back, applied a body triangle, and transitioned to a rear-naked choke, forcing Gamrot to submit.
🚨 Charles Oliveira 🇧🇷 veut affronter Max Holloway pour la ceinture BMF !
Le “Do Bronx” vise encore plus haut 💥🔥
Un défi de taille à venir ! #UFCRio pic.twitter.com/vnlB0dK22W
— mmamag.ma (@jamalsoussi10) October 12, 2025
This moment highlights Oliveira’s ability to read the fight in real-time and seize control at the critical moment, showcasing his extensive experience and deep understanding of ground fighting techniques.
Implications and Perspectives:
With this victory, Oliveira retains his spot among the lightweight division’s top five, improving his record to 21 wins before the limit in the UFC, including 17 by submission in the big league. A key question arises: can this comeback be considered a true turning point in Oliveira’s career, given the fierce competition in the division?
After the fight, the Brazilian did not hesitate to call out Max Holloway for a BMF belt rematch, opening the door to speculation about the future hierarchy in the lightweight division. Does this challenge represent an opportunity for Oliveira to reassert his dominance, or is it an additional risk in a career already marked by highs and lows?
This fight leaves MMA fans with several questions: how do fighters rebuild their careers after painful defeats? Will ground control tactics always remain the most decisive weapon in the lightweight division? And who will be the next opponent capable of challenging Oliveira at the peak of his performance?
