This is the live blog for Charles Oliveira vs. Mateusz Gamrot, the lightweight main event for Saturday’s UFC Rio fight card at Farmasi Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Oliveira, a former UFC lightweight champion, looks to bounce back from a brutal knockout loss to current champ Ilia Topuria in the headliner of June’s UFC 317 event. Oliveira is 2-3 in this past five, which includes a stoppage loss to Islam Makhachev for the 155-pound title at UFC 280 in October 2022, along with a decision loss to Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 300, but also victories against Michael Chandler and Beneil Dariush.
Gamrot looks to make it two straight victories in the biggest fight of his career. “Gamer” defeated the streaking Ludovit Klein via decision in May to bounce back from a Fight of the Night loss to Dan Hooker at UFC 305 in August 2024. The former KSW champ is 4-1 over his past five outings.
Check out the Charles Oliveira vs. Mateusz Gamrot live blog below.
According to FanDuel, this fight is closing as a straight pick’em, with -108 lines on both sides.
I love this matchup. This is a great substitution for Rafael Fiziev by getting Gamrot in there, and it’s a must-win fight for both guys — but, in my opinion, more so for Gamrot. Oliveira is super popular, and on a high-tier of stardom (whatever that means in the UFC in 2025), so a loss stings, and knocks him out of title conversation, but there’s still big spots for him. For Gamrot, if he loses this, his title hopes are done for good, and he needs that belt maybe more than anyone else in this division.
I think this fight will be super fun until it ends, and I believe it ends with Oliveira knocking Gamrot out in Round 2.
Walkouts/Final Announcements
Gamrot out to a chorus of boos, Oliveira, as expected, out to a hero’s welcome. Marc Goodard, who was absolutely awful in the Kaan Ofli fight earlier in the evening, is the referee.
The fans are absolutely hyped. The final faceoff is done, and we’ll be off in just a second.
Goddard gets them going and to the center of the octagon they go. Oliveira with a nasty three-punch combination. Gamrot immediately shoots and gets an easy takedown. Oliveira maybe trying to work a guillotine, but Gamrot’s head right out. Oliveira has an arm trapped now, and it’s getting nastier by the second. Gamrot staying calm, and is out of harm’s way… for now.
Oliveira attacking the arm again, trying for another oma plata attempt, but now sweeps over and takes the back. The former champ trying to improve position, Oliveira complaining to Goddard, maybe about a glove grab. Now Oliveira slyly spins around to the back again to get both hooks in, trying for a rear-naked choke. Gamrot stands up, Oliveira with a body triangle, which drags Gamrot right back down. Final 45 seconds and it’s all Oliveira now. Crowd chanting and singing for Oliveira as he’s happy to ride out the rest of the round in a dominant position.
MMAFighting scores it 10-9 Oliveira
Gamrot might be in some trouble, because his first takedown led to Oliveira dragging him through the mud. Oliveira speaks to Goddard again about the glove grabs, and we’re off in Round 2. Gamrot lands a right hand that was partially blocked, Gamrot with a looping right hand that Oliveira saw coming. Jab, jab, right from Gamrot, and a big counter from Oliveira gets his attention. Great counter-combo from Oliveira has Gamrot moving backwards, although Gamrot does land a right hand.
Oliveira cracks Gamrot again, and the former champ is straight up not showing Gamrot any respect at all. Nasty rib-roaster from Oliveira, who is not even trying to defend punches coming from Gamrot, and Oliveira lands a takedown. Oliveira takes the back, both hooks in, rear-naked choke applied, and it’s TIGHT. Gamrot is going to tap soon, and HE DOES! Charles Oliveira makes it look easy, and then jumps in the crowd to celebrate. Incredible moment, incredible performance.
Official Result: Charles Oliveira def. Mateusz Gamrot via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 2:48
Oliveira overwhelmed by the hometown response. Bisping asks what Oliveira wants next and takes the time to put over his coach for the confidence that he gave him. And then he calls out Max Holloway for the BMF title, which is ABSOLUTELY the fight to make. Anything else is wrong.
That’s a wrap, folks. Thanks for joining.
Subscribe to my channel
