Charles Oliveira just proved why he is one of the most electrifying fighters in the UFC lightweight division. ‘Do Bronx’ surprised his home fans with a statement victory over Mateusz Gamrot at UFC Rio, his first return to Brazil in five years. The fighter from the favelas won via a rear-naked choke submission in the very second round, reigniting his quest for another championship run.

The victory not only restored faith in his championship ambitions but also silenced the constant chatter about his retirement. At 35, the Brazilian showed that age has not dulled his hunger or desire for greatness. This win meant more than just numbers on his record; it was emotional redemption.

Ever since his nasty knockout loss to Ilia Topuria earlier this year, there have been concerns about his chin, hunger, and motivation. But, beneath the brilliant lights of Rio de Janeiro, ‘Do Bronx’ answered all of them with precision and composure. Fighting in front of his countrymen gave him a charge that statistics cannot quantify, and the roar of the Brazilian fans echoed a simple truth: ‘Do Bronx’ isn’t done yet.

Now that he’s won, all roads point toward Max Holloway. The former featherweight champion and current BMF titleholder has been on Oliveira’s radar for months, and a win like this creates the ideal narrative. “Everyone would love to see the Max fight,” Charles Oliveira said earlier, calling it a “great fight that will move me toward the title.” ‘Do Bronx’ even called it his retirement bout. And to confirm his intentions further, after the fight, ‘Do Bronx’ told Michael Bisping that all he sees now is a BMF fight against Holloway.

The fight would not only pit Oliveira’s ever-dangerous grappling against Holloway’s relentless striking, but it might also decide who gets the next opportunity at Ilia Topuria’s lightweight title. A fight with ‘Blessed’ might act as Charles Oliveira’s return to the title picture. Sitting at No. 4 in the lightweight rankings, this victory reaffirms that he remains among the division’s elite.

More significantly, doing it on home turf, where emotion meets legacy, gives credibility to what could be the start of another championship run. Charles Oliveira has always flourished when the odds were stacked against him, and tonight was no exception. For ‘Do Bronx,’ success in Rio was more than just establishing he still belonged; it was also about proving he mattered. And with that spark reignited, Oliveira’s road to redemption looks wide open once again. But what if he had lost the fight? Who would’ve been the options then?\

Charles Oliveira’s path had UFC Brazil ended in failure

Charles Oliveira’s resounding victory in Rio left fans dreaming of title shots and high-stakes fights, but it’s worth exploring the alternative path: what would have occurred if ‘Do Bronx’ had lost to Mateusz Gamrot? A loss at home would have served as a stark reminder of the UFC’s razor-thin margins, forcing Oliveira to rethink both his plan and mindset.

Even so, his resilience and unyielding spirit suggest that defeat would not mark the end, but rather a pause before plotting a carefully considered return. In that situation, Charles Oliveira would most likely have focused on rebuilding fights, choosing opponents such as Dan Hooker or Arman Tsarukyan (based on their upcoming Fight Night result) to recapture momentum while remaining in the lightweight division.

These fights would serve as both a confidence boost and a signal that the former champion still has a lot left in the tank. His team, which includes expert strategists and training partners, would surely assist in creating a game plan that emphasizes his famed grappling while accounting for earlier flaws exposed so far.

However, Charles Oliveira will not have to worry about that path for the time being. With the win secured, his focus goes totally to a high-stakes battle with Max Holloway. The victory not only establishes his status among the division’s finest but also paves the way for a potential BMF title showdown, allowing ‘Do Bronx’ to resume his quest for championship glory without delay.