Photo Credit Michael Carlyle
Oliveira Chokes Gamrot, Pinto and Alvarez Impress in Rio
Charles Oliveira Silences Doubt with Another Submission Win at UFC Fight Night Rio
Questioned and doubted, Charles Oliveira continues to thrive — fueled by love. In the main event of UFC Fight Night Rio, “Do Bronx” added yet another submission to his legendary résumé. Just three months removed from a knockout loss and heading into his 47th professional fight, many wondered if Oliveira’s durability would hold. But on this night, he left no doubt.
Fighting in front of friends, family, and his home crowd was a personal goal for Oliveira, and the love he received all week was evident. Mateusz Gamrot came ready, eager to test the all-time submissions leader on the ground. In the first round, Gamrot had to fend off both an omoplata and a rear-naked choke. But in the second, after a brief back-and-forth on the feet, Oliveira hit a double leg, took Gamrot’s back, and this time locked in the choke for the finish.
Figueiredo Back in Form; Ends Jackson’s Streak
Former flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo snapped a two-fight skid and halted Montel Jackson’s six-fight win streak in the co-main event. His experience shone through — managing distance, timing bursts of offense, and exposing Jackson’s low output.
Jackson waited too long for the perfect shot, while Figueiredo used blitzing hooks and tactical takedowns to disrupt Jackson’s rhythm and outwork the rising contender.
Joel Alvarez Impresses in Welterweight Debut Despite Controversy
Joel Alvarez made a strong welterweight debut with a convincing unanimous decision win over Vicente Luque. However, controversy surrounded the bout. In the first round, Alvarez landed a clean left hook to Luque’s right eye. Luque reacted as though it were an eye poke, prompting a pause. Though the replay confirmed it was a legal strike, the referee delayed restarting the action and called in the doctor, giving Luque recovery time that may have masked how compromised he was.
Alvarez capitalized in round two with brutal low kicks, and in the third, trapped Luque in an inverted triangle for nearly the entire round. It was a dazzling display that should put the welterweight division on notice.
Mario Pinto Continues Rise with Ground Domination
The UFC may have a real heavyweight prospect in Mario Pinto. After a devastating KO win in his debut, Pinto showcased his evolving game in his second outing against world-champion kickboxer Jhonata Diniz. Rather than engage in a striking war, Pinto used double legs, trips, and top control to dominate. Diniz was busted open after the first and finished in the second. At just 27, Pinto is definitely one to watch.
Quick Reversal Shocks Ramos in Wild Opener
Ricardo Ramos came out aggressively in the main card opener, pushing Kann Ofli into high-stakes grappling exchanges. Ramos nearly had a kneebar, but Ofli escaped, reversed position, took Ramos’ back while standing, and secured a rear-naked choke — a quick and dramatic turnaround.
Prelims Deliver Fireworks at Farmasi Arena
The prelims were action-packed, with six of seven fights ending inside the distance — three knockouts, three submissions. In five of six bouts featuring Brazilians, the home fighters defended national pride in style.
American Michael Aswell Jr. was the lone spoiler, silencing the Brazilian crowd in the featured prelim. Returning to featherweight after a short-notice lightweight debut, Aswell dominated Lucas Almeida from the first exchange. Heavy right hands and sharp left hooks had Almeida on the defensive early. A second knockdown and ground-and-pound from mount sealed Aswell’s first UFC win.
Other Prelim Highlights:
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Jafel Filho scored the other first-round finish, transitioning from his back to sweep and submit Clayton Carpenter with a kimura — the 11th submission of his career.
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Beatriz Mesquita, a multiple-time BJJ world champion, was dominant in her UFC debut. She mounted Irina Alekseeva for four minutes in round one and finished with a rear-naked choke in the second — making a strong case as a threat in the division.
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Julia Polastri dismantled former Strawweight title challenger Karolina Kowalkiewicz. Body kicks and aggressive pressure wore Kowalkiewicz down. A high kick in the third round set up a TKO finish for the surging Brazilian.
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Luan Lacerda got revenge on Saimon Oliveira, who missed weight by eight pounds. Lacerda’s relentless pace broke Oliveira, who eventually verbally submitted to an armbar in round two.
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Vitor Petrino moved to 2-0 at heavyweight with a third-round TKO of Thomas Petersen. Petrino looked fast and powerful, landing clean combinations, including the fight-ending uppercut-hook in the early third round.
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Lucas Rocha earned a unanimous decision over Stewart Nicoll in the only fight to go the distance. Nicoll struggled to impose his grappling, while Rocha freely let his hands go, dominating all three rounds.
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