Charles Oliveira reminded everyone why he remains one of the most feared lightweights in the sport. At UFC Rio, the former UFC champion put on a flawless performance, submitting Mateusz Gamrot in the second round at the Farmasi Arena in Rio de Janeiro.
From the opening bell, Oliveira attacked with relentless forward pressure, landing crisp strikes and forcing Gamrot to wrestle. But that strategy quickly backfired. Oliveira threatened with omoplatas and scrambles before securing Gamrot’s back and finishing the fight with a tight face crank.
The submission marked Oliveira’s 20th career finish in the UFC — extending his unmatched record — and reestablished his place among the elite. After the win, he immediately used his post-fight interview to issue a high-profile challenge.
“Hey [UFC executive] Hunter [Campbell], Charles Oliveira and Max Holloway, BMF — let’s make that happen,” Oliveira declared to the roaring crowd.
Max Holloway Responds to the Callout
It didn’t take long for Max Holloway, the reigning BMF titleholder, to reply. The Hawaiian went live on Kick shortly after Oliveira’s victory and confirmed his interest in running it back.
“I’m interested,” Holloway said. “Why wouldn’t I be? We’ve been talking about this fight. Me and him have a history. He’s blaming it on some type of injury. I guess we get to figure it out now.”
Although he admitted he didn’t watch the full fight, Holloway caught the post-fight clip of Oliveira’s challenge.
“Charles’ performance? I didn’t watch it,” he said. “I just got the clip of him calling me out. The only way to announce that is another one. Let’s go.”
However, Holloway made it clear that if this fight happens, it won’t be in Oliveira’s backyard.
“No, I’m not f*cking going to Rio. Fight in Las Vegas or something. We fight on my terms. We fight on my terms, brother. We went to Rio, we did that with the ‘King of Rio.’ Now it’s my turn to have a say.”
Playfully, Holloway even hinted that he might have taken that “King of Rio” title for himself.
“When you fight the King of Rio somewhere else, you take his village, right? You guys might be looking at the King of Rio. Just saying. Check the receipts.”
Max Holloway went live right after Charles Oliveira called him out 👀
“Why wouldn’t I be interested? We have a history. He blamed it on some type of injury, I guess we get to figure it out now. We fight on my terms.” pic.twitter.com/A14aMadrhG
— Happy Punch (@HappyPunch) October 12, 2025
What’s Next for Both Fighters
Holloway revealed he’s targeting a potential return in March once he’s fully healed from a hand injury.
“We’re pretty close to fighting in March,” he said. “It’s very possible. Pretty close but very possible for sure.”
Oliveira, on his end, welcomed the idea.
“His terms are the same as the UFC,” Oliveira said at the post-fight press conference. “It can be in his house. If it’s not in Brazil, it can be anywhere in the world. [March] is perfect, it’s a perfect fight. It would be awesome to see Hawaii.”
Charles Oliveira responds to Max Holloway saying they’ll “fight on his terms” next year:
“It can be at his house. If it’s not in Brazil, it can be anywhere in the world. … [March] is perfect. It’s a perfect fight.” pic.twitter.com/AopLZMWw9Q
— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) October 12, 2025
But Holloway dismissed the chance of fighting in his home state.
“Hawaii ain’t never going to have a fight,” he said. “You got to get over that. Chances of Hawaii having a fight with me on it is f*cking zero, boys. I’m sorry. I am so sorry but it is what it is.”
He explained that Hawaii lacks a proper venue to host a UFC event.
“We don’t have a stadium to hold it, and even if there is going to be one, they have to start building now — that’s going to take years. So we’re cooked.”
A Decade-Old Rivalry Renewed
Holloway and Oliveira first met nearly a decade ago at a UFC Fight Night in 2015. The bout ended abruptly when Oliveira suffered a neck injury just 99 seconds into the first round, giving Holloway a quick TKO win.
Since then, both men have taken drastically different but equally impressive paths. Holloway rose to capture the featherweight championship and later earned the symbolic BMF belt after knocking out Justin Gaethje. Oliveira moved up to lightweight, claimed the undisputed title in 2021, and became known for his record-setting number of submissions inside the octagon.
Now, with both fighters at the top of their respective divisions and mutual interest confirmed, fans are buzzing about a long-awaited rematch — one that would carry far greater stakes than their first meeting.
Holloway (27-8) remains on the sidelines recovering from injury but expects to return early next year. Oliveira (36-11, 1 NC), rejuvenated by his statement win in Rio, is again positioned as a major player in the lightweight title picture.
When asked about the possibility of facing Holloway at the rumored White House card in 2026, Holloway smiled.
“Can you imagine?” he said. “I don’t know if I want to wait that long, but we’ll see what happens. Never say never.”
