UFC Fight Night Rio Preview: Oliveira's Emotional Homecoming Against Grappling Specialist Gamrot

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – Charles Oliveira is set to return to his home nation of Brazil for the first time since 2020, headlining a pivotal UFC Fight Night event this Saturday. The former lightweight champion will face off against Polish contender Mateusz Gamrot in a highly anticipated main event at the Farmasi Arena, with significant implications for the lightweight division.

Oliveira (35-11), a beloved figure in Brazilian MMA, last competed on home soil five years ago, defeating Kevin Lee in an event that notably took place in an empty arena just before the global COVID-19 shutdowns. This means "Do Bronx" has not fought in front of a live Brazilian audience in six years. His celebrated title campaign, which saw him finish formidable opponents like Michael Chandler, Dustin Poirier, and Justin Gaethje to claim and defend the lightweight championship, unfolded entirely outside of Brazil. Despite his incredible run, Oliveira returns home having recently lost his title, but he is determined to leverage a victory over Gamrot into a potential ceremonial BMF title fight with Max Holloway, a stepping stone he hopes will lead to another shot at the undisputed UFC lightweight title.

Speaking to CBS Sports through a Portuguese interpreter, Oliveira articulated the profound significance of this fight. "It’s for my legacy," he stated, emphasizing his desire to perform on this card. "To be in front of my fans and feel the energy of the Brazilian people." This sentiment underscores the emotional weight of the occasion for the fighter, who has long been a standard-bearer for Brazilian jiu-jitsu and an exciting, submission-focused style. His offensive striking, combined with his unparalleled submission game, makes him a dangerous proposition for any opponent. While his defensive striking has sometimes been questioned, his ability to absorb damage and find fight-ending opportunities on the feet or the ground remains a hallmark of his career.

Mateusz Gamrot (25-3) assumes the role of antagonist in Oliveira’s homecoming, bringing a starkly contrasting style to the main event. Widely regarded as one of the lightweight division’s premier wrestlers, Gamrot is undeterred by Oliveira’s highly dangerous Brazilian jiu-jitsu. In fact, the Polish fighter, representing American Top Team, expressed enthusiasm for facing an opponent willing to engage in grappling exchanges. Gamrot’s confidence is further bolstered by several external factors, including the change in opponent; Oliveira was initially preparing for elite striker Rafael Fiziev before Gamrot stepped in. Moreover, Gamrot has publicly cited Arman Tsarukyan’s past success against Oliveira as a telling indicator for Saturday’s contest.

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"Oliveira doesn’t like wrestlers," Gamrot told CBS Sports, offering insight into his strategic approach. "He’s the most dangerous guy on the ground. I understand people don’t want to go to the ground with him. But not me. Wrestling and BJJ are in my DNA. I love exchanging submissions and grappling. I’m happy because my previous opponents always try to stand up. Charles Oliveira will try to submit me or scramble with me." Gamrot’s wrestling statistics are impressive, with the fighter averaging more than five takedowns per 15 minutes. His ability to control opponents on the mat, as demonstrated in his brilliant five-round grappling display against Tsarukyan, positions him as a significant threat to Oliveira, who historically concedes more than half of the takedown attempts against him, often relying on his opportunistic submission game to negate defensive deficiencies.

The stylistic clash between Oliveira’s dynamic striking and submission prowess and Gamrot’s relentless wrestling and grappling control forms the crux of the main event. Gamrot’s strategy is expected to involve constant pressure and takedown attempts, aiming to neutralize Oliveira’s offensive output and grind out rounds. However, Oliveira’s submission game is so potent that it often transforms defensive positions into offensive threats, making conventional ground control a perilous endeavor for his opponents. The question remains whether Gamrot’s top-tier wrestling can keep him safe from Oliveira’s submissions, or if Oliveira can replicate the striking success that fighters like Dan Hooker have had against Gamrot, potentially leading to a knockout opportunity.

Beyond the main event, Saturday’s Fight Night card features several compelling matchups, with a strong contingent of Brazilian fighters looking to impress the home crowd.

In the bantamweight division, two-time flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo (23-4-1) continues his campaign in a new weight class, facing rising contender Montel Jackson (14-2). Figueiredo returns after a challenging knee injury loss to Cory Sandhagen, a fight that preceded Sandhagen’s recent bantamweight championship bout against Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 320. Figueiredo, known for his aggressive style and knockout power at flyweight, is seeking to establish himself among the elite at 135 pounds. Jackson, meanwhile, enters the contest on an impressive six-fight winning streak, aiming for the biggest win of his career to break into the divisional top 15. His well-rounded skillset and athleticism present a formidable challenge for the former champion.

An all-action clash is also scheduled in the welterweight division between Vicente Luque (22-10-1) and Joel Alvarez (22-4). Luque, a fan favorite known for his exciting fights and finishing ability, has experienced a challenging period in his career but remains a dangerous force. He is currently one finish shy of potentially tying UFC welterweight records for most finishes and post-fight bonuses, underscoring his consistent pursuit of spectacular victories. Across from him, Alvarez boasts a remarkable finishing rate, with all 22 of his professional wins coming by stoppage, including seven within the UFC. Alvarez is currently on a three-fight winning streak, having bounced back strongly since being knocked out by top lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan in 2022. This matchup promises fireworks, given both fighters’ propensity for stoppages.

In the heavyweight division, Jhonata Diniz (9-1) is set to face Mario Pinto (10-3). Diniz, who transitioned to MMA after a decorated kickboxing career, holds a strong 9-1 record in mixed martial arts. He suffered a TKO loss to Marcin Tybura in November 2024 but rebounded with a decision win over Alvin Hines in June, showcasing his resilience and continued development in the sport. Pinto, an equally powerful heavyweight, will look to test Diniz’s striking defense and grappling acumen.

The featherweight division will also see veteran Ricardo Ramos (16-6) return to the Octagon against Kaan Ofli (10-2). Ramos, known for his acrobatic and submission-oriented style, has faced recent struggles, losing three of his last four fights since 2023. He will be eager to reverse this trend and secure a victory against Ofli, who aims to make a statement against a seasoned opponent.

Here are the latest odds from DraftKings Sportsbook for the main card:

UFC Fight Night Viewing Information
Date: Oct. 11
Start time: 7 p.m. ET (main card)
Location: Farmasi Arena — Rio de Janeiro
TV channel: ESPN+

Prediction for Charles Oliveira vs. Mateusz Gamrot
The main event presents a complex analytical challenge due to the distinct and high-level skill sets of both fighters. Mateusz Gamrot’s ability to neutralize opponents with his wrestling is a significant factor. Representing American Top Team, Gamrot consistently averages over five takedowns per 15 minutes, a statistic that could pose a substantial threat to Oliveira, who historically yields a high percentage of takedown attempts against him. While Oliveira’s razor-sharp submission game often alleviates the pressure of defending takedowns, Gamrot possesses the defensive grappling skills to avoid being tapped, as evidenced by his victory over Arman Tsarukyan in a gruelling five-round grappling exchange.

Conversely, Charles Oliveira brings a two-pronged offensive threat. His incredibly potent offensive striking, particularly his ability to land fight-ending blows, could capitalize on Gamrot’s less robust striking defense, mirroring the success Dan Hooker found against the Polish fighter. However, some analysts have raised concerns regarding Oliveira’s capacity to finish durable opponents over extended rounds, as seen in past bouts. Despite these tactical considerations, the emotional narrative of Oliveira’s return to Brazil, combined with his proven ability to find a finish from any position, adds an unpredictable element to the contest. One expert projection anticipates an Oliveira victory by third-round knockout, driven by his offensive firepower and the potential for a breakthrough strike.