Charles Oliveira had yet another submission win at UFC Sao Paulo, against the returning Christos Giagos. More than just another notch on his belt, however, the submission saw Oliveira make history.
UFC Sao Paulo offered a chance for Charles Oliveira to do something extraordinary: pass Royce Gracie in the UFC’s all-time submission win list. It was a huge opportunity for Oliveira, who despite being a top fighter for years, has never been consistent. Often the Brazilian submission artist would win one, and lose one. However at UFC Fight Night 137 he got his second win in a row, against the returning Christos Giagos, who hadn’t fought in the UFC since 2015. And as it came via submission, the fight was one for the history books.
The first round saw a bit of a feeling out process early. You had to wonder if ring rust wasn’t a factor for Giagos, given his time away. In any case, the feeling out process more or less continued until Oliveira got the takedown with about a minute and a half left in the round. He then looked for mount, but surprisingly Giagos scrambled out of the position and got back to the feet. Where he would survive until round two.
In round two Oliveira got the fight to the ground once again, and this time got Giagos’s back. Not much later he got the body triangle, and soon the rear naked choke as well, and just like that he had the tap and Oliveira had another submission win. Passing the icon Royce Gracie in the process, and in Brazil no less!
HISTORY MADE at #UFCSP! @CharlesdoBronxs surpasses Royce Gracie for most submissions in UFC history! pic.twitter.com/7AdqiEgUI9
— UFC Canada (@UFC_CA) September 23, 2018
Charles Oliveira def. Christos Giagos by rear naked choke, Round 2, 3:22
