Oliveira submits Gamrot in UFC Rio main event

Former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira dazzled in his return to the Octagon, submitting Mateusz Gamrot with a rear-naked choke in the UFC Rio de Janeiro main event Saturday night.

The finish came at the 2:48 mark of the second round at Farmasi Arena in Oliveira's home country of Brazil.

"I'm trying to hold back the tears right now," Oliveira said in his postfight interview. "This is all for you guys. It's not about money, fame, status, or anything. Screw it, this is Brazil."

Oliveira is back in the win column after suffering a devastating knockout loss to current champ Ilia Topuria at UFC 317 in June. Some thought it was ill-advised for Oliveira to return so soon after such a defeat, but the 35-year-old put on a flawless performance against Gamrot, silencing his doubters in the process.

After the win, Oliveira said he wants to fight Max Holloway for the BMF title next. They've fought once before, in a UFC main event in 2015. Holloway won via first-round TKO after Oliveira suffered a freak injury. They've both put together Hall of Fame-worthy careers since that meeting, and a rematch would be big business for the promotion.

"Hey (UFC chief business officer) Hunter (Campbell), Charles Oliveira and Max Holloway, BMF, let's make that happen," Oliveira said.

Oliveira is now tied with Neil Magny for the second-most wins in UFC history (24), three behind Jim Miller. "Do Bronx" also extended several of his own UFC records, including most finishes (21) and most submissions (17).

In the first round of Saturday's main event, Gamrot was the first to engage in the grappling department, scoring a takedown 40 seconds in. But Oliveira quickly proved he had the edge on the ground, throwing up several submission attempts off his back. Oliveira eventually returned to his feet, then got on top of Gamrot and took his back. He attempted to sink in a rear-naked choke, but Gamrot defended it.

Oliveira aggressively attacked on the feet at the start of the second round, landing solid punches, including a left hook. Gamrot connected with a few shots of his own. Oliveira scored a takedown midway through the frame and took Gamrot's back again. He applied another rear-naked choke, and although it appeared to be across Gamrot's jaw and not under his chin, Oliveira's tight squeeze forced the tap.

Oliveira fought in Brazil for the first time since March 2020, when he submitted Kevin Lee in an empty arena in Brasilia just days after large gatherings were banned due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Saturday's bout was Oliveira's second main event in his home country and his first time competing in front of a Brazilian crowd since 2019.

Oliveira, who's ranked No. 4 in the lightweight division, has now alternated wins and losses in his past seven Octagon appearances. He held the 155-pound title from 2021-22 until Islam Makhachev took over the division, but he's largely remained in contention since.

Gamrot suffered the first stoppage loss of his career. The 34-year-old Pole is 1-2 in his last three outings.

Gamrot, the eighth-ranked lightweight in the promotion, accepted the matchup with Oliveira on two-and-a-half weeks' notice after Rafael Fiziev withdrew due to an injury.