The UFC stormed back into Rio de Janeiro last night with an electric card at the Farmasi Arena. It was the organization’s first return to the Brazilian city since UFC 301 in May 2024, when Alexandre Pantoja defended his flyweight title against Steve Erceg. It also marked the first Fight Night event in Rio since 2015, when Demian Maia outpointed Ryan LaFlare.
The main event saw Brazil’s own Charles Oliveira take on Poland’s Mateusz Gamrot. Oliveira had struggled with inconsistency since losing his lightweight crown three years ago and entered the cage for the first time since a knockout loss to Ilia Topuria at UFC 317 in June. Gamrot stepped in on short notice after Rafael Fiziev’s injury and brought with him four wins from his last five fights, including a decision victory over Ľudovit Klein in May.
The co-main event showcased former flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo, who faced Montel Jackson after two straight defeats. Jackson arrived with a six-fight winning streak, his latest victory coming against Daniel Marcos.
Who rose to the occasion in Rio? Who fell short? Here’s the rundown of UFC Rio’s biggest hits and misses.
Miss: A Weight Miss That Crossed The Line
Luan Lacerda deserves credit for accepting the fight, but Saimon Oliveira’s eight-pound weight miss was inexcusable. The bout hung in uncertainty until fight day as Oliveira’s weight landed closer to featherweight than bantamweight. Many commissions would have canceled the contest immediately.
Lacerda still chose to compete, but this episode highlighted a major issue in combat sports. Weight cutting remains dangerously unregulated, and the sport’s pay model encourages risky behavior. Such extreme misses must bring stronger penalties from both promoters and athletic commissions.
Hit: Bia Mesquita’s Dominant UFC Debut
Bia Mesquita, a legendary figure in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, made a flawless transition to mixed martial arts. Facing Irina Alekseeva, Mesquita controlled the bout from the first exchange, securing an early takedown and dominating from full mount.
She maintained complete control before finishing the fight in round two with a slick rear-naked choke. Mesquita’s debut was a statement that women’s bantamweight has a new force. Fans are already buzzing about a possible future matchup between Mesquita and current champion Kayla Harrison — a dream clash of grappling styles.
Hit: Vitor Petrino’s Power Finds A New Home
Vitor Petrino made his heavyweight debut with a statement knockout victory over Thomas Petersen. After two consecutive defeats at light heavyweight, Petrino looked revitalized in the new division.
He dropped Petersen early and easily stuffed every wrestling attempt. Although he tired in the second round, Petrino started the third with a thunderous two-punch combination that ended the fight instantly. With heavyweight currently thin on elite talent, Petrino could break into the rankings soon if he refines his endurance.
Hit: Jafel Filho’s Submission Showcase
Jafel “The Pastor” Filho thrilled his home crowd with a masterful submission over Clayton Carpenter. Filho hurt Carpenter early, took him down, and dominated with relentless top control.
After threatening a rear-naked choke, Filho transitioned to a tight kimura that forced the tap. He improved to 17–4 overall and now owns three wins in the UFC. With only elite opponents like Muhammad Mokaev and Allan Nascimento handing him losses, Filho looks ready to chase a ranking spot among flyweights.
Hit: Michael Aswell Jr. Silences The Brazilian Crowd
Michael Aswell Jr. needed only moments to stun Lucas Almeida and the entire Rio crowd. He landed a heavy right hand in the opening seconds and kept up the pressure. Almeida tried to fight back but was soon slumped against the fence as Aswell poured on strikes for the stoppage.
It was Aswell’s first UFC win after a debut loss to Bolaji Oki. His speed and aggression suggest a bright future, and fans hope to see him again soon — possibly on the UFC 323 card.
Miss: Refereeing Mistakes Mar The Night
Two officiating errors cast a shadow over UFC Rio. The first came in Kaan Ofli’s win over Ricardo Ramos. Ramos looked for a leg lock near the fence, while Ofli used the cage to escape illegally. Veteran referee Marc Goddard failed to issue a warning or notice the infraction, and Ofli went on to win with a rear-naked choke.
The second incident occurred in Joel Alvarez’s bout with Vicente Luque. Alvarez landed a clean left hand that damaged Luque’s eye, yet Luque claimed it was an eye poke. The referee correctly called it a legal strike and appeared to end the fight. But confusion followed as the ringside doctor intervened, treating it as an accidental foul.
Alvarez still won, but such inconsistencies damage the sport’s credibility. Real-time review and stronger oversight are desperately needed for MMA officiating.
Miss: Vicente Luque’s Career Slipping Away
Vicente Luque’s decline continued with another tough defeat, marking his fifth loss in seven outings. Once seen as a future welterweight title contender, Luque now struggles to regain momentum.
His performance against Alvarez looked hesitant and drained. If he gets another fight, it might be his last opportunity to stay with the promotion. It’s a painful fall for a fighter once considered among Brazil’s most exciting talents.
Hit: Deiveson Figueiredo Finds His Rhythm Again
Deiveson Figueiredo snapped his losing streak with a commanding decision win over Montel Jackson. Fighting in front of his home fans, he dictated the pace from start to finish.
Figueiredo scored an early takedown, threatened multiple submissions, and controlled exchanges on the feet. After defeats to Petr Yan and Cory Sandhagen, this win marked a crucial comeback. With new momentum, Figueiredo could soon target rising names like Umar Nurmagomedov or Song Yadong in the bantamweight division.
Hit: Charles Oliveira’s Triumphant Return Ignites Rio
Charles Oliveira reminded fans why he remains one of the sport’s most thrilling finishers. In front of an ecstatic Rio crowd, he dominated Mateusz Gamrot with his trademark mix of aggression and precision.
Oliveira controlled the first round with grappling, nearly catching an Omoplata. In the second, he pressured Gamrot with strikes and closed the show with a perfectly executed choke.
It was Oliveira’s first fight since losing to Ilia Topuria, and the victory reignited his championship ambitions. After the fight, he called out Max Holloway for a BMF title showdown — a dream matchup that fans would love to see headline a future event in Brazil.
