UFC Rio was a night to remember in Brazil, with one of the greatest ever in Charles Oliveira headlining in front of his country. From dominant performances to amazing knockouts all throughout the card, and many veterans and prospects putting it all on the line. The Rio crowd was electric all night, and the fights did not disappoint. An amazing night of MMA capped off with the hometown superstar building on his already legendary legacy.

UFC Rio Recap

Ricardo Ramos vs Kaan Oli: Featherweight

Kaan Oli gets the round one submission win vs Ricardo Ramos. In the opening moments of the round, Oli shot in for a takedown and succeeded, but Ramos got a hold of Oli’s leg as he was falling. Ramos tried locking in a knee bar and had one deep a few times, but Oli had good defense and avoided any danger. Oli then spun and reversed positions, and immediately took the back of Ramos. Kaan put the body triangle on Ramos and clung to his back while Ramos was standing, desperately looking for a rear-naked choke. Ramos had good defense, but Oli kept trying and eventually got under the neck and completed the submission for the round one win. Oli gets back in the win column after two back to back losses and improves to 12-4-1.

Jhonata Diniz vs Mario Pinto: Heavyweight

Mario Pinto gets the round two TKO on Jhonata Diniz in what was a surprising and dominant display of grappling from Pinto. Heavyweight is not a division that you see a lot of grappling it and many thought this fight would be a stand and bang battle. Pinto though who is a power puncher, immediately shot for a takedown on Diniz. He then proceeded to dominate Diniz on the mat with ground and pound and even some submission attempts. Pinto’s grappling looked amazing as he was productive fro side control, full mount, and in the crucifix position. He got Diniz in an americana submission (arm) that Diniz somehow escaped from when it seemed like his arm would snap at any moment. Round two was no different as Pinto would get another takedown and proceeded to rain down slicing elbows that left Diniz bloody. Pinto got into full mount and smashed Diniz with more ground and pound before the referee stepped in, securing the TKO victory for Pinto. Mario Pinto is now 11-0 and is looking to burst into the top 15 heavyweight rankings.

Vicente Luque vs Joel Alvarez: Welterweight

Joel Alvarez gets the unanimous decision victory vs Vicente Luque in a complete demolition. In the first round both men exchanged shots that didn’t amount to much. Midway through the round though, Luque was caught a knuckle in the eye that he thought was a eye poke. The strike was legal but there was confusion on the referees part of whether to call the fight or not. The action got back on track but Luque’s eye was very damaged. The next two rounds were a mauling by Alvarez. Joel stuffed a take down and dominated Luque on the ground with ground and pound. Nothing Luque did to escape work and he was smashed by Alvarez. This was a 10-8 round which showed pure dominance. In the third round, Alvarez stuffed another takedown and put Luque in an inverted triangle that wasn’t dangerous but kept Luque trapped for almost the entire round. Alvarez would win with all judges scoring the contest 30-26 which means that he dominated Luque severely. This is Alvarez’s first decision win in his career and is looking like a promising contentder in the welterweight division.

#6 Deiveson Figueiredo vs #15 Montel Jackson: Bantamweight

Deiveson “Figgy” Figueiredo defeats Montel Jackson by split decision to put a end to Jackson’s unbeaten streak. Figgy showed why experience matters as the former flyweight champion mixed in his takedowns and striking to beat the upcoming prospect. The first two rou ds were very similar as both men were point fighting before Figgy got a takedown on Jackson. Figgy went for a couple submission attempts but nothing landed and Jackson found his way back to the feet. Figueiredo had more output throughout the fight as Jackson seemed unable to pull the trigger. In the third round it was even on the feet and hard to say who won but again the lack of volume from Jackson led to his downfall. In a surprising judges decision, the fight went to split decision when it seemed clear that Figgy had won. Nonetheless, Figgy got the job done and is back in the win column. He called out bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili for his next fight and as he is #6 ranked, that fight is a real possibility. We will just have to wait and see.

#4 Charles Oliveira vs #8 Mateusz Gamrot: Lightweight

Charles Oliveira gets the round two submission on Mateusz Gamrot in what seemed like an easy night at the office. Oliveira immediately came out and landed some good shots on the feet. Gamrot got a takedown on Oliveira but “Do Bronx” instantly went for a submission attempt. Charles reversed positions and took the back and controlled Gamrot on the ground for the rest of the round. In round Oliveira just walked down Gamrot on the feet with no respect for Gamrots power. Oliveira then shot in for a takedown and almost slammed Gamrot who caught himself but still found himself on the ground. Oliveria instantly took Gamrot’s back and locked in a rear naked choke for the submission win in his home country. Oliveira proved why he is one of the best fighters to ever live and one of the greatest lightweights in MMA history. “Do Bronx” did just lose a title fight so he needs a few more wins to get that opportunity back but he is well on his way. Oliveira called out Max Holloway for the BMF belt on the line for his next fight in what would be one of most exciting fights you will ever see.