Charles Oliveira is set to make his return to Brazil this Saturday, marking his first fight in his home country since 2020. The lightweight contender will face Mateusz Gamrot in the main event of UFC Fight Night. Oliveira last competed in Brazil five years ago, securing a victory over Kevin Lee in an event held without fans due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This means “De Bronx” hasn’t fought in front of a Brazilian crowd for six years. Although Oliveira’s title run, which included standout wins over Michael Chandler, Dustin Poirier, and Justin Gaethje, took place entirely outside Brazil, he is eager to secure a win against Gamrot that could pave the way for another title shot. Oliveira shared with CBS Sports, through a Portuguese interpreter, that this fight is about his legacy and feeling the energy of his Brazilian fans.
Gamrot, with a 25-3 record, is known as one of the best wrestlers in the division and is not intimidated by Oliveira’s dangerous Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu skills. He was originally preparing for Rafael Fiziev before stepping in to face Oliveira and sees past fights, like Arman Tsarukyan’s success against Oliveira, as encouraging signs. Gamrot expressed confidence in his wrestling and grappling abilities, stating that he loves submission exchanges and expects Oliveira to either submit him or engage in scrambles.
The fight night also includes notable Brazilian fighters like two-time flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo, who is moving up to bantamweight to face rising star Montel Jackson, and a welterweight bout between Vicente Luque and Joel Alvarez. The heavyweight matchup features Jonata Diniz, a former kickboxer, against Mario Pinto, while featherweight veteran Ricardo Ramos returns to fight Khan Ofri.
According to DraftKings Sportsbook odds, Gamrot is a slight favorite over Oliveira in the lightweight clash. Predictions are split, with some experts leaning toward Gamrot’s wrestling dominance, while others favor Oliveira’s heart and finishing power, expecting a third-round knockout by Oliveira.
This UFC Fight Night airs on October 11th at 7 pm ET from Arena Pharmacy in Rio de Janeiro and will be available on ESPN+.
Fan Take: Oliveira’s return to Brazil is a significant moment, rekindling the connection between a hometown hero and his passionate fans. This fight could be a defining chapter in Oliveira’s career and a thrilling showcase of grappling versus striking that fans of the sport eagerly anticipate.
