UFC: Oliveira outmaneuvers Gamrot with submission victory

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Charles Oliveira returned to the winning column of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) after pulling off a clinical submission victory over Mateusz Gamrot on Oct. 12, 2025, at the Farmasi Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

After a devastating knockout loss to reigning lightweight king Ilia Topuria four months ago, Oliveira gambled on his next UFC plan, ditching the majority’s recommendation to recuperate for at least a year before setting foot again inside the octagon.

Despite the high-risk move, the former lightweight champion proved that his decision to fight in the main event was worth it, capping off his comeback bout with a submission win via a rear-naked choke in the second round.

The official match referee stopped the fight at the 2:48 mark of the second round, where Oliveira turned back the hands of time with his signature groundwork masterclass.

It was Gamrot who scored the first takedown of the match in the first 20 seconds of the opener, catching Oliveira off guard with a quick burst to his midsection.

However, the decision to engage in the grappling department early in the fight became a huge mistake for Gamrot, as Oliveira was able to turn the tide with a series of slick sprawls and leg locks to free himself from a dangerous position.

After 15 more seconds of setting up the counter trap, Oliveira put his fans on their feet when he successfully clipped Gamrot in the arms to reverse the dominant ground position.

From Gamrot finding a way to submit Oliveira, the home bet answered back with high-level grappling to pounce on top and stay on the Pole’s back.

Oliveira had the chance to attempt the first rear-naked choke of the fight, but with only 13 seconds remaining, time wasn’t on his side, and he needed another period to secure the win.

The well-loved MMA fighter went straight to business at the start of the second round, shrugging off the passive approach of waiting on what Gamrot was about to throw.

Oliveira kicked off the round with a booming left hook that tagged Gamrot at the 3:26 mark, leaving him wobbling while trying to stay the course and shield himself from a barrage of punches.

Twenty-six seconds later, Oliveira went for a sneaky takedown, which he successfully scored, en route to the match-sealing rear-naked choke.

“I’m trying to hold back the tears right now,” Oliveira said after the win.

“This is all for you guys. It’s not about money, fame, status, or anything. Screw it, this is Brazil.”