Oliveira submits Gamrot in Rio on short-notice main event

Mateusz Gamrot stepped into the UFC Rio main event on October 11, 2025, on short notice and was submitted by former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira in the second round at Farmasi Arena in Rio de Janeiro. Gamrot, who accepted the bout after Rafael Fiziev withdrew because of injury, was controlled on the ground and finished with a face crank, the first stoppage loss of his professional career.

The matchup crystallized quickly after Fiziev’s exit, with Gamrot campaigning for the opportunity and boarding a flight to Brazil after roughly 12 days of focused preparation, his coach said. Mike Brown, head coach at American Top Team, acknowledged the risk of taking a headline fight on such short notice and posted a message of support after the loss, writing that he was "truly heartbroken" but admiring of Gamrot’s courage. Brown noted Gamrot had been preparing for a November 8 headliner and had been training in Florida for three weeks before answering Oliveira’s call. "We win together, we lose together," Brown wrote, adding that he still believes Gamrot can become a world champion.

Oliveira, a Brazilian who holds the UFC record for most submission victories and is a former...