Charles Oliveira emphatically reasserted his lightweight contender status at UFC Rio, finishing Mateusz Gamrot via first-round knockout and instantly calling for a “BMF” title fight against max Holloway. The event, held Saturday night at the Jeunesse Arena in Rio de janeiro, showcased a series of decisive finishes on the preliminary card alongside oliveira’s statement victory.
Oliveira’s win-a head-kick and punch combination ending the bout at 4:10 of the first round-propels him back into title contention after a prior loss to Islam Makhachev. He wasted no time in issuing a challenge to Holloway,suggesting a bout for a symbolic “Baddest Motherf*er” title to settle the score between two of the division’s most exciting fighters. A potential Holloway matchup adds another layer of intrigue to the lightweight landscape, currently topped by champion Makhachev.
UFC rio Preliminary Card Results:
* Featherweight: Michael Aswell defeated Lucas Almeida via TKO (punches) at 1:42 of Round 1.
* Flyweight: Jafel Filho defeated Clayton Carpenter via submission (kimura) at 4:42 of Round 1.
* heavyweight: Vitor Petrino defeated Thomas Petersen via knockout (punch) at 0:26 of Round 3.
* Bantamweight: Bia Mesquita defeated Irina Alekseeva via submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:14 of Round 2.
* Flyweight: Lucas Rocha defeated Stewart Nicoll via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).
* Strawweight: Julia Polastri defeated Karolina Kowalkiewicz via TKO (head kick and punches) at 2:56 of Round 3.
* 144-pound catchweight:** Luan Lacerda defeated Saimon Oliveira via submission (armbar) at 3:55 of Round 2.
