The energy in Rio de Janeiro is electric as UFC Fight Night 261 brings a stacked lineup to Farmasi Arena on October 11, 2025. For the first time since 2020, Brazilian MMA superstar Charles Oliveira steps back into the Octagon on home soil, headlining against Poland’s Mateusz Gamrot in a lightweight clash that has fans and pundits alike buzzing with anticipation. This marks the 41st UFC event in Brazil and the first non-pay-per-view show in Rio since 2015, making it a homecoming of sorts not just for Oliveira but for Brazilian MMA as a whole.
Oliveira, with a formidable record of 35-11 in MMA and 23-11 in the UFC, returns to the roar of a Brazilian crowd after a five-year absence. His last fight in Brazil was a win over Kevin Lee in March 2020, a bout held behind closed doors just before the pandemic shuttered sporting events worldwide. “It’s for my legacy,” Oliveira told CBS Sports through a Portuguese interpreter. “To be in front of my fans and feel the energy of the Brazilian people.” The passion is palpable, and Oliveira is keen to use this pivotal moment to propel himself toward either a BMF showdown with Max Holloway or another shot at UFC gold.
Standing in his way is Mateusz Gamrot, a relentless wrestler with a 25-3 record and a reputation for grinding out victories against the division’s best. Currently ranked No. 11 in the lightweight division, Gamrot is no stranger to high-stakes bouts. He steps in for Rafael Fiziev, who was originally slated to face Oliveira, and brings a style that many believe could neutralize Oliveira’s famed Brazilian jiu-jitsu. “Oliveira doesn’t like wrestlers,” Gamrot told CBS Sports. “He’s the most dangerous guy on the ground. I understand people don’t want to go to the ground with him. But not me. Wrestling and BJJ are in my DNA. I love exchanging submissions and grappling. I’m happy because my previous opponents always try to stand up. Charles Oliveira will try to submit me or scramble with me.”
The odds reflect just how evenly matched this contest is. As of October 10, both fighters were listed at -110, and the MMA Junkie staff predictions were nearly split down the middle: six picked Oliveira, five favored Gamrot. Readers also leaned toward Oliveira, with 68% backing the Brazilian to triumph in front of his home crowd. Yet, no one is taking this fight for granted—both men possess the tools to end the night in spectacular fashion, and the stakes could not be higher.
The main card is loaded with Brazilian talent and intriguing matchups. In the co-main event, two-time flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo continues his bantamweight campaign against Montel Jackson. Figueiredo, ranked No. 10 at bantamweight, returns after a tough knee injury loss to Cory Sandhagen. Jackson, riding a six-fight winning streak and ranked No. 14, is looking for the biggest victory of his career. The odds slightly favor Jackson at -325, but Figueiredo remains a live underdog at +260, and the staff predictions are nearly as close as the main event, with six picking Jackson and five backing Figueiredo.
Welterweight fireworks are expected when Joel Alvarez, a finishing machine with a 22-3 record (all 22 wins by stoppage), takes on veteran Vicente Luque. Alvarez is on a three-fight win streak and is a heavy favorite at -550. Luque, a perennial contender with a UFC record of 16-7, is looking to tie the record for most finishes and post-fight bonuses in the division. Despite being a +390 underdog, Luque’s experience and resilience make this a bout to watch.
Heavyweights Jhonata Diniz and Mario Pinto promise to deliver big shots and high drama. Diniz, 9-1 in MMA following a successful kickboxing career, rebounded from a TKO loss to Marcin Tybura with a decision win over Alvin Hines. Pinto, undefeated at 10-0, brings his own brand of power and determination to the Octagon. The odds are close: Diniz at -145, Pinto at +120, and the picks among staff are nearly even.
Ricardo Ramos returns to featherweight action against Kaan Ofli. Ramos, who boasts an 8-6 UFC record, has struggled recently but remains the favorite at -200. Ofli, still searching for his first UFC win, is a +160 underdog. The main card opens with Lucas Almeida facing Michael Aswell Jr., with both fighters looking to make a statement in the featherweight division.
The preliminary card is equally packed, with at least one Brazilian fighter featured in every bout. From Luan Lacerda in bantamweight to Bia Mesquita in women’s bantamweight, the home crowd will have plenty to cheer for. This event marks a return to form for the UFC in Brazil, with 13 fights across eight weight classes and a broadcast available on ESPN+ starting at 7 p.m. ET, following prelims that kick off at 4 p.m. ET. Fans can also stream the action via DirecTV, FuboTV, or SlingTV, many of which offer free trials for new viewers eager to catch the action live.
Beyond the fights themselves, the card’s significance is amplified by its place in UFC history. It’s the first non-pay-per-view event in Rio since UFC Fight Night: Maia vs. LaFlare in 2015 and the first UFC event in Brazil since UFC 301 in May 2024. The atmosphere is expected to be electric, with Brazilian fans known for their passionate support and the fighters eager to put on a show worthy of the occasion.
As the fighters make their final preparations and the city of Rio buzzes with anticipation, all eyes are on Farmasi Arena. Will Oliveira’s homecoming end in triumph, setting up a blockbuster bout with Max Holloway or a return to title contention? Or will Gamrot’s wrestling prowess and confidence spoil the party for the Brazilian faithful? One thing’s for sure: with razor-thin odds and world-class talent on both sides, this main event is as much a toss-up as any in recent memory.
With a fight card brimming with local stars and international contenders, UFC Fight Night 261 is poised to deliver fireworks from the opening bell to the final horn. As the action unfolds, fans worldwide will be watching to see who rises, who falls, and who seizes the moment under the bright lights of Rio de Janeiro. The stage is set, the fighters are ready, and the story of UFC’s return to Brazil is about to be written—one punch, kick, and submission at a time.
