The energy in Rio de Janeiro is reaching a fever pitch as UFC Fight Night 261 takes over the Jeunesse Arena, bringing a stacked card headlined by local hero Charles "Do Bronx" Oliveira and Poland’s Mateusz Gamrot. The event, set for October 11, 2025, marks the UFC’s long-awaited return to Brazil’s fight capital, and the anticipation is palpable among fans, fighters, and pundits alike.
At the top of the bill, the lightweight main event between Oliveira and Gamrot has all the makings of a classic. Oliveira, the former UFC Lightweight Champion, is stepping back into the octagon just four months after a tough loss to Ilia Topuria at UFC 317. The Brazilian star, now 35, is eager to remind everyone why he’s still a force at 155 pounds. With a professional record of 35 wins and 11 losses and holding the UFC record for most submission victories (16), Oliveira’s resume speaks for itself. But questions linger: can he bounce back after a mixed run in his last six fights, where he’s gone 3-3, including a triumphant submission over Justin Gaethje and a decisive TKO of Beneil Dariush?
His opponent, Mateusz Gamrot, is no stranger to adversity. The Polish contender accepted this high-stakes bout on just ten days’ notice after Rafael Fiziev withdrew due to a knee injury. Gamrot, currently ranked number four in the lightweight division—just like Oliveira—brings a 25-3 record and a reputation for relentless wrestling and non-stop pressure. He’s fresh off a unanimous decision win over Ľudovít Klein in May and has only stumbled twice in his last six outings, both times against top-tier opposition. The stakes couldn’t be higher, with both men looking to cement their place in the title mix.
The stylistic contrast between these two is fascinating. Oliveira’s jiu-jitsu wizardry and explosive finishing ability are legendary, while Gamrot’s grinding style and cardio make him a nightmare for anyone over five rounds. As fight night approaches, fans and analysts are buzzing about whether Oliveira’s submission prowess or Gamrot’s wrestling will reign supreme. The Brazilian faithful are sure to make their voices heard, hoping their countryman can deliver another memorable moment in front of a raucous home crowd.
But the excitement doesn’t stop there. The co-main event features Deiveson Figueiredo, the former UFC Flyweight Champion, making his second appearance at bantamweight after a pair of tough losses to Cory Sandhagen and Petr Yan. Figueiredo, ranked sixth in the division, is looking to recapture the magic of his earlier three-fight win streak, which included victories over Rob Font, Cody Garbrandt, and Marlon Vera. His professional ledger stands at 24 wins, 5 losses, and 1 draw.
Across the cage, Montel Jackson is riding a wave of momentum. The American is on a six-fight winning streak, three of which came by TKO, and boasts a 15-2 record. Ranked fifteenth in the bantamweight division, Jackson faces the biggest test of his career. The intrigue here lies in the clash of styles: Figueiredo’s power and veteran savvy versus Jackson’s height, reach, and technical boxing. According to ESPN, this bout has “serious ranking implications for the division.” Both men know a win could catapult them toward a title shot.
Elsewhere on the main card, welterweight fireworks are expected as Vicente Luque, a Brazilian fan favorite, squares off against Joel Álvarez. Luque’s return from a brain hemorrhage has been closely watched, and he’s eager to prove he’s still one of the division’s most dangerous finishers. Álvarez, moving up to welterweight on short notice, brings a massive frame and a penchant for submissions—17 to his name—making this a high-risk, high-reward matchup for both men.
The main card also features Jhonata Diniz, a Glory kickboxing veteran with seven knockout wins, against the undefeated Mario Pinto in a heavyweight tilt. Both fighters prefer to keep it standing, and with Diniz’s striking prowess and Pinto’s first-round KO in his UFC debut, this one could end in a flash. Featherweights Lucas Almeida and Michael Aswell kick off the main card, promising action even if they don’t boast the same name recognition as the headliners.
The undercard is packed with Brazilian talent, designed to ignite the local crowd. Jafel Filho and Clayton Carpenter headline the prelims in a flyweight scrap, with both men looking to climb the ranks. Another flyweight bout sees Lucas Rocha and Stewart Nicoll trying to bounce back from recent losses, while veteran Karolina Kowalkiewicz faces Julia Polastri in a women’s strawweight contest that pits experience against youth.
Not all the headlines are positive, though. The heavyweight bout between Mohammed Usman and Valter Walker was scrapped after Usman tested positive for elevated testosterone levels, a development that cast a shadow over fight week. Meanwhile, controversy swirled around the catchweight fight between Luan Lacerda and Saimon Oliveira, after Oliveira missed weight by a staggering eight pounds—resulting in a hefty 50% purse fine but allowing the bout to proceed.
“This card delivers a compelling slate of matchups with something for every MMA fan,” reported Athlon Sports, emphasizing the electric atmosphere expected in Rio thanks to the passionate Brazilian supporters. The event’s broadcast on Disney+/ESPN App ensures fans worldwide won’t miss a moment of the action, with the main card starting at 7 p.m. ET.
For many, the intrigue lies in the unknown. Will Oliveira’s experience and submission skills be enough to stop Gamrot’s relentless attack? Can Figueiredo turn back the clock against a surging Jackson? Will Luque’s durability hold up against Álvarez’s finishing instincts? And who among the rising Brazilian stars will seize their moment in front of a home crowd?
As the lights shine bright in Rio de Janeiro, UFC Fight Night 261 is shaping up to be a night of drama, heart, and high-octane action. With so much at stake and so many questions in the air, fight fans are in for a memorable evening—one that could reshape the landscape of several divisions and deliver unforgettable moments in the storied history of Brazilian MMA.
