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Brett OkamotoOct 12, 2025, 01:25 PM<\/p>\n
Close<\/a>Brett Okamoto has reported on mixed martial arts and boxing at ESPN since 2010. He has covered all of the biggest events in combat sports during that time, including in-depth interviews and features with names such as Dana White, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Conor McGregor, Nate Diaz, Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao and Georges St-Pierre. He was also a producer on the 30 for 30 film: “Chuck and Tito,” which looked back at the careers and rivalry of Chuck Liddell and Tito Ortiz. He lives in Las Vegas, and is an avid, below-average golfer in his spare time.<\/p>\n Less than four months after suffering the worst knockout loss of his career, Charles Oliveira<\/a> secured his successful homecoming in style Saturday in Rio de Janeiro.<\/p>\n Oliveira (36-11) submitted Mateusz Gamrot<\/a> (25-4) via rear-naked choke at 2:48 of the second round in the main event of UFC Fight Night inside Farmasi Arena. The victory came just 105 days after Oliveira was knocked out in a lightweight title fight by Ilia Topuria<\/a>. Many in the sport worried Oliveira rushed back too quickly to headline his first appearance in his home country of Brazil since 2020 — but there didn’t appear to be any lingering effects from the loss.<\/p>\n “I’m trying to hold back tears right now,” Oliveira said through an interpreter. “This is all for you guys [the Brazilian fans]. This is not about money, fame or status. This is for Brazil.”<\/p>\n The finish added to Oliveira’s already Hall of Fame-worthy legacy. He extended both of his UFC records in career finishes (21) and career submissions (17). He moved into a tie with active welterweight Neil Magny<\/a> for most wins in UFC history with 24, trailing only active lightweight Jim Miller<\/a>‘s 27.<\/p>\n Immediately after the win, Oliveira doubled down on his proposal before the fight to face BMF champion and ranked lightweight Max Holloway<\/a>. The two met more than a decade ago in 2015. Holloway defeated Oliveira in a featherweight bout that featured an odd ending, when Oliveira crumpled to the canvas due to what he later described as an esophageal injury.<\/p>\n “Charles Oliveira, Max Holloway, BMF,” Oliveira said. “Let’s make this happen.”<\/p>\n It was a trademark performance by Oliveira from the opening bell. He walked Gamrot down with his usual upright, high-volume Muay Thai style. Gamrot, who filled in on short notice for the injured Rafael Fiziev<\/a>, took down Oliveira in the opening half of the first round, but Oliveira used the threat of an omoplata to reverse the position and take Gamrot’s back.<\/p>\n The two lightweights traded strikes in the second round until Oliveira worked into a bodylock and lifted Gamrot off his feet. Oliveira eventually took Gamrot’s back and worked in the choke. It was a moment Oliveira had essentially waited for since March 2020, when he headlined an event in Brazil in an empty arena due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He went on to win the UFC championship in 2021, but never got the opportunity to defend his belt in Brazil.<\/p>\n