This bout was initially scheduled between Charles “Do Bronxs” Oliveira (35-11-0, 1NC) and Rafael Fiziev until Fiziev was forced to withdraw due to a knee injury. In steps Mateusz “Gamer” Gamrot (25-3-0, 1NC), who has raised his hand for this opportunity for over a year and finally gets his shot at the former Lightweight champion. 

Not known for exciting performances of late, this could actually be a good one for Gamrot, who doesn’t shy away from grappling scrambles (see his fight against Beneil Darisuh at UFC 280) and is matched against the man with perhaps the most effective jiu-jitsu in MMA. 

Oliveira’s last appearance in the Octagon was against Ilia Topuria back in June, in which he got brutally knocked out in the first round. Gamrot is less dangerous for “Do Bronxs.” While the odds are close, especially in Oliveira’s home turf of Brazil, I expect Oliveira to take the W over “Gamer” and continue his trajectory of alternating one win for one loss over the last three years.

👊🏻Charles “Do Bronxs” Oliveira Key Stats:

3.41 Sig. Strikes Landed/minute

3.26 Sig. Strikes Absorbed/minute

59% Sig. Strike Defense

56% TDD

39% TD Accuracy

👊🏻Mateusz “Gamer” Gamrot Key Stats:

3.35 Sig. Strikes Landed/minute

3.04 Sig. Strikes Absorbed/minute

48% Sig. Strike Defense

90% TDD

36% TD Accuracy

Vegas Odds: Charles Oliveira (-120), Mateusz Gamrot (+100)

Man Alive’s Pick: Charles Oliveira

It takes a certain kind of man to fight a Brazilian on his home turf, dealing with shouts of “you’re going to die” while walking through a massive stadium arena and into a cage. Montel Jackson (16-2-0) is that brave American man fighting Deiveson Figueiredo (24-5-1) in Brazil.

“Quik” has a lot to gain by winning a match like this in Brazil against the “God of War,” and stands a chance of going from #15 in the rankings to cracking the top 10 for Bantamweight. He’s collected two performance of the night bonuses since his time in the UFC and is currently on a six-fight win streak. 

It’s a little fast for Figueiredo to return to the Octagon–he tore a ligament in his knee in his fight against Cory Sandhagen back in May, and while the injury didn’t require surgery, Figgy is no spring chicken, turning 38 this year. Then again, a fellow 38-year-old just made jaws drop and reclaimed his title at Light-Heavyweight, so you can never count out a strong-willed Brazilian–especially on a card in Rio de Janeiro. 

👊🏻Deiveson “Deus da Guerra” Figueiredo Key Stats:

2.82 Sig. Strikes Landed/minute

3.64 Sig. Strikes Absorbed/minute

49% Sig. Strike Defense

58%TDD

35% TD Accuracy

👊🏻Montel “Quik” Jackson Key Stats:

3.22 Sig. Strikes Landed/minute

1.39 Sig. Strikes Absorbed/minute

62% Sig. Strike Defense

68% TDD

62% TD Accuracy

Vegas Odds: Deiveson Figueiredo (+220), Montel Jackson (-295)

Man Alive’s Pick: Montel Jackson