UFC Fight Night 261 promises an electrifying night of mixed martial arts action, headlined by a high-stakes lightweight main event between submission legend Charles Oliveira and elite wrestler Mateusz Gamrot. The card is stacked from top to bottom, featuring a diverse array of fighting styles, experienced veterans, rising prospects, and matchups that could have major implications across several divisions..

UFC Fight Night 261: Oliveira vs. Gamrot 

Main Card Breakdown

Charles Oliveira vs. Mateusz Gamrot (Lightweight Main Event)

  • Charles “Do Bronx” Oliveira: A Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) specialist and aggressive Muay Thai striker, Oliveira holds the UFC record for most submission wins. He excels in scrambles and transitions, threatening with chokes and limb attacks. Offensively, his knees, front kicks, and clinch elbows make him dangerous at all ranges. However, concerns about his chin, recent KO loss, and only average takedown defense (56%) could be exploited if he can’t catch Gamrot in a submission.
  • Mateusz “Gamer” Gamrot: Renowned for his wrestling and scramble-heavy grappling, Gamrot averages over four takedowns per 15 minutes and owns a 90% takedown defense. His striking has improved, and he is exceptionally durable. Gamrot’s main risk is engaging too recklessly on the mat, where Oliveira’s submissions are always a threat. He must also manage a 4-inch reach deficit and avoid brawling exchanges where Oliveira’s power and clinch skills could land.

The bout is a classic grappler vs. wrestler matchup, with Oliveira seeking to capitalize on submission opportunities and Gamrot aiming to dictate the fight’s location and pace. The outcome may hinge on whether Gamrot can neutralize Oliveira’s submission threats while implementing his wrestling and improving boxing.

Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Montel Jackson (Bantamweight Co-Main Event)

  • Deiveson “Deus da Guerra” Figueiredo: A two-time former flyweight champion, Figueiredo is an aggressive power striker with a dangerous submission arsenal. His experience and finishing instincts are elite, but he faces significant physical disadvantages—five inches shorter and seven inches less reach than Jackson. At 37 and on a two-fight skid, his durability and ability to close the distance are concerns.
  • Montel “Quik” Jackson: A tall, rangy southpaw, Jackson leverages his 75-inch reach for sharp boxing and possesses strong wrestling defense. He’s younger, on a six-fight win streak, and lands with high accuracy. However, he has yet to face someone with Figueiredo’s power and submission threat and could be in trouble if drawn into brawls or grappling scrambles.

This matchup pits Figueiredo’s experience and finishing ability against Jackson’s physical advantages and technical prowess. Range management and discipline will be critical for Jackson, while Figueiredo must avoid chasing and getting countered.

Vicente Luque vs. Joel Álvarez (Welterweight)

  • Vicente Luque: An aggressive Muay Thai striker with solid submissions, Luque is battle-tested but has shown recent defensive vulnerabilities, including stoppage losses. He’s powerful in the pocket and dangerous with knees and elbows, but faces a taller, longer opponent in Álvarez.
  • Joel “El Fenómeno” Álvarez: A submission finisher moving up to welterweight, Álvarez brings unusual height and reach, plus a 100% finish rate. His guard is highly active, and he excels in opportunistic submissions. However, this is his first bout at 170 lbs, and he may struggle with Luque’s power and physicality.

Luque must close distance and avoid submission traps, while Álvarez needs to exploit his range and maintain composure in his new weight class.

Jhonata Diniz vs. Mário Pinto (Heavyweight)

  • Jhonata Diniz: A decorated kickboxer with knockout power and solid takedown defense, Diniz’s main vulnerability is in grappling exchanges. He’s experienced but faces a younger, explosive opponent.
  • Mário Pinto: An undefeated prospect with one-punch KO power and a background in Brazilian Luta Livre, Pinto’s accuracy is notable, but his defensive lapses and limited experience against high-level strikers are concerns.

Expect a striking-heavy battle where the first fighter to land cleanly could end the fight early.

Ricardo Ramos vs. Kaan Ofli (Featherweight)

  • Ricardo Ramos: Known for creative striking and capable grappling, Ramos’s UFC experience is a plus, but he sometimes lets opponents outwork him due to low output. He must avoid getting caught by Ofli’s aggressive clinch and submission game.
  • Kaan Ofli: A grappling-minded all-rounder on a two-fight losing streak, Ofli is tough and opportunistic but less polished on the feet and will be at a reach disadvantage.

Ramos’s technical edge and unpredictability could overwhelm Ofli, but the Aussie’s grit and submission skills keep him dangerous, especially in clinch and ground exchanges.

Lucas Almeida vs. Michael Aswell (Featherweight)

  • Lucas Almeida: An explosive power-puncher with a finishing mindset, Almeida’s aggression can leave him open defensively. He has a slight size advantage and a strong submission threat if the fight goes to the mat.
  • Michael Aswell: A volume-based boxer with strong durability and a high-paced style, Aswell’s main weaknesses are his lack of power and defensive openness. If he can survive Almeida’s early flurries, his output could take over.

This bout is likely to be a firefight, with Almeida’s power versus Aswell’s relentless pace and durability.

 

 

 

Preliminary Card

Jafel Filho vs. Clayton Carpenter (Flyweight)

  • Jafel Filho: Another BJJ ace with evolving striking, Filho is dangerous in transitions and submissions. However, his striking can be too aggressive, leaving him open to counters and takedowns.
  • Clayton Carpenter: A well-rounded fighter with crisp boxing and strong wrestling. His inexperience is a concern, and he needs to maintain composure grappling as a single mistake could see him submitted.

Carpenter will aim to keep the fight standing but could see a lot of top control, while Filho will look for grappling opportunities and needs to avoid working off his back for long periods.

Vitor Petrino vs. Thomas Petersen (Heavyweight)

  • Vitor Petrino: A fast, explosive striker with improving grappling, Petrino’s main risk is defensive lapses and giving up size to Petersen.
  • Thomas Petersen: A wrestle-boxer with knockout power and a grinding style, Petersen’s physicality and wrestling could neutralize Petrino if he avoids big shots.

Petrino’s athleticism versus Petersen’s wrestling and power make for a compelling heavyweight clash.

Beatriz Mesquita vs. Irina Alekseeva (Women’s Bantamweight)

  • Beatriz Mesquita: A world-class grappler with developing MMA striking, Mesquita’s submission skills are elite, but her inexperience and striking defense are liabilities.
  • Irina Alekseeva: A physically strong judoka with knockout power, Alekseeva’s own submission defense will be tested against Mesquita’s relentless grappling.

If Mesquita gets the fight to the mat, she’s a heavy favorite; standing exchanges favor Alekseeva’s power and experience.

Lucas Rocha vs. Stewart Nicoll (Flyweight)

  • Lucas Rocha: A high-output striker and grappler, Rocha’s aggressive style can leave him open to counters. He’ll have a reach advantage but must avoid Nicoll’s power.
  • Stewart Nicoll: A compact, powerful boxer with stout wrestling defense, Nicoll will look for knockout opportunities and to keep the fight standing.

The bout is a classic volume vs. power matchup, with Rocha’s activity against Nicoll’s precision.

Valter Walker vs. Mohammed Usman (Heavyweight)

It is looking like this fight could be cancelled with Usman pulling out

  • Valter Walker: Known for his wild brawling and leg-lock submissions, Walker’s unpredictability has yielded a streak of heel hook wins. His defensive striking is a major concern.
  • Mohammed Usman: A classic wrestle-boxer with heavy hands and improved conditioning, Usman’s fundamentals and patience could exploit Walker’s defensive lapses.

Walker’s leg locks are a constant threat, but Usman’s straight punches and wrestling could end Walker’s run if he capitalizes on defensive openings.

Julia Polastri vs. Karolina Kowalkiewicz (Women’s Strawweight)

  • Julia Polastri: An aggressive Muay Thai striker with youth and power, Polastri’s main risks are defensive lapses and letting fights become too close.
  • Karolina Kowalkiewicz: A seasoned veteran with high-volume kickboxing, Kowalkiewicz’s experience and fight IQ could frustrate Polastri if she manages range and clinches effectively.

Polastri will try to overwhelm the aging Kowalkiewicz with power and aggression, while Karolina will try to outwork and outmaneuver her younger opponent.

Luan Lacerda vs. Saimon Oliveira (Bantamweight)

  • Luan Lacerda: A BJJ black belt with patient striking, Lacerda’s submission skills are his biggest weapon. He can be too deliberate, risking being outworked by a more aggressive opponent.
  • Simon Oliveira: An aggressive striker with a signature guillotine. He’ll bring pace and aggression in an effort to overwhelm, but lacks cardio and can be controlled on the ground when his sub fails.

Lucerda will look to bring this fight to the ground and work his wrestling, while Oliveira will look to be the aggressor early, hunting for his sub.

Sample Roster

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