Charles Oliveira Do Bronx – Foto: X.com/ UFC Brasil
Charles Oliveira, known as Do Bronx, secured a submission victory against Poland’s Mateusz Gamrot in the main event of UFC Fight Night at Farmasi Arena, Rio de Janeiro, on the night of October 11, 2025. The former lightweight champion applied a rear-naked choke at 2 minutes and 48 seconds into the second round, preserving his perfect record of eight consecutive wins on Brazilian soil. The performance came after Oliveira overcame a recent string of losses, solidifying his spot in the division’s rankings.
The packed arena cheered wildly for the 35-year-old’s triumphant return. Oliveira, ranked fourth in the lightweight division, faced Gamrot, the eighth-ranked contender, in a grappling-heavy bout from the start. The Pole, a last-minute replacement for the injured Rafael Fiziev, held strong in the first round but succumbed to the Brazilian’s technical pressure.
- Oliveira landed front kicks and defended takedown attempts in the first round.
- In the second, he reversed to top position and secured his opponent’s back.
- The submission came after prolonged ground control, totaling 3 minutes and 35 seconds of dominance.
The event showcased Brazil’s strength, with locals winning seven of the 12 fights on the full card.
— UFC Brasil (@UFCBrasil) October 12, 2025
Main event breakdown
Oliveira opened the fight with striking pressure, using low kicks to limit Gamrot’s advance. The Pole landed a takedown at the 4-minute mark of the first round, but Oliveira countered with an omoplata attempt, forcing a position reversal.
In the second round, Oliveira took control with a grappling sequence, bringing Gamrot to the ground. He swiftly moved to the back and locked in the rear-naked choke, forcing the tap. The win boosts Oliveira’s professional MMA record to 36-11.
Gamrot, now 25-4, showed resilience but couldn’t escape Oliveira’s jiu-jitsu dominance, with the Brazilian now holding 22 career submissions.
Main card highlights
Deiveson Figueiredo faced Montel Jackson in the co-main event in the bantamweight division. The Brazilian won by split decision after three competitive rounds, with judges scoring 29-28, 28-29, and 29-28 in his favor. Figueiredo, a former two-time flyweight champion, now has three consecutive wins in his new weight class.
Joel Alvarez defeated Vicente Luque by unanimous decision in the welterweight division. Scores of 30-27, 30-27, and 29-28 reflected Alvarez’s grappling control, neutralizing Luque’s submission attempts.
Mario Pinto stopped Jhonata Diniz with a second-round technical knockout at 3 minutes and 12 seconds, using ground-and-pound after a takedown. The Portuguese fighter, now 11-0, impressed with relentless pressure.
Kaan Ofli closed the main card with a first-round rear-naked choke submission over Ricardo Ramos at 4 minutes. The Portuguese fighter reversed a bad position to secure the neck.
Preliminary card performances
The prelims saw Brazilian dominance, with seven national wins in eight bouts. Michael Aswell knocked out Lucas Almeida at 2 minutes and 30 seconds in the first round with a direct punch that dropped his opponent.
Jafel Filho submitted Clayton Carpenter with a kimura at 3 minutes and 45 seconds in the first round, marking his second straight UFC win. The Brazilian controlled the grappling early, forcing the tap.
Vitor Petrino defeated Thomas Petersen by knockout in the third round at 1 minute and 20 seconds with a series of uppercuts. The 27-year-old’s performance earned a “Performance of the Night” bonus.
Bia Mesquita, in her debut, submitted Irina Alekseeva with a rear-naked choke in the second round at 2 minutes and 15 seconds. The Brazilian, a three-time jiu-jitsu world champion, also earned a bonus for her dominant win.
Lucas Rocha won by unanimous decision over Stewart Nicoll, with all judges scoring 30-27 due to high striking volume. Julia Polastri knocked out Karolina Kowalkiewicz in the third round at 4 minutes with a high kick that rocked the Pole.
Luan Lacerda opened the card with a second-round armbar submission against Saimon Oliveira at 3 minutes and 55 seconds, securing his first UFC win after over two years sidelined.
Post-fight reactions
Oliveira celebrated the win by dedicating it to his favela community, mentioning plans for a local Children’s Day party. He held back visible tears but expressed gratitude for the crowd’s energy.
Post-fight, Oliveira called out Max Holloway for a rematch, referencing their 2015 bout halted by injury. Holloway responded positively on social media, signaling interest in a BMF title fight.
The UFC awarded “Performance of the Night” bonuses to Oliveira, Petrino, Mesquita, and Polastri, each receiving $50,000. The event drew an average of 15,000 spectators to Farmasi Arena.
Figueiredo commented post-fight on adapting to bantamweight, eyeing the division’s top 5. Luque, after the loss, plans training camp adjustments for his next bout.
Star-studded attendance
José Aldo was honored during the card, with the crowd cheering the former champion in a symbolic “retirement” moment. Alex Pereira, the current light heavyweight champion, watched the main event alongside fighters like Norma Dumont and Jean Silva.
Oliveira’s entrance included his wife and children, amplifying emotional support. Soccer star Kaka was among the VIP guests.
UFC Rio strengthened Brazil’s 2025 event calendar, with upcoming shows planned for São Paulo and Manaus.
