Brazilian bantamweight Luan Lacerda emphatically snapped his UFC losing streak in spectacular fashion at UFC Rio, submitting Saimon Oliveira via armbar within the second round to earn his first Octagon victory in front of an electrical home crowd on the Farmasi Arena.
The 32-year-old Nova União fighter had endured a difficult begin to his UFC profession, entering the bout with an 0-2 record following losses to Cody Stamann and Da’Mon Blackshear. After greater than two years away from the Octagon, Lacerda returned to his roots and delivered a performance that reminded everyone why he earned his UFC contract in the primary place.
Home Crowd Advantage Fuels Lacerda’s Performance
Fighting in Rio de Janeiro provided the right backdrop for Lacerda’s redemption story. The Brazilian crowd’s energy was palpable from the opening bell, with chants of “Lacerda” echoing throughout the world because the hometown fighter looked to capitalize on familiar territory.
Lacerda’s path to victory wasn’t without obstacles. His opponent Saimon Oliveira had missed weight by a staggering eight kilos, coming in at 144 kilos for what was originally scheduled as a bantamweight bout. The numerous weight miss forced the fight to proceed at catchweight, with Oliveira forfeiting a considerable portion of his purse to Lacerda.
Despite the burden drawback, Lacerda remained focused on executing his game plan. The submission specialist, who had earned 10 of his 12 profession victories via submission before entering the UFC, displayed the grappling prowess that made him a feared competitor on the regional circuit.
The armbar finish within the second round showcased Lacerda’s technical superiority and submission expertise. Known for his diverse submission arsenal including rear naked chokes, guillotines, and triangle chokes throughout his profession, Lacerda added one other chapter to his grappling legacy with the superbly executed armbar.
Une autre victoire par soumission! 🔥
Résultat : Luan Lacerda l’emporte sur Saimon Oliveira par Soumission (Clé de bras) à 3:55 du 2e round pic.twitter.com/STxdt2w4n0
— UFC Québec (@UFCQuebec) October 11, 2025
This victory was particularly sweet for Lacerda, who had struggled to translate his regional success to the UFC level. With 83% of his skilled victories coming via submission, the Nova União product finally demonstrated why he was considered one in all Brazil’s most promising submission artists before his UFC debut.
Oliveira’s Struggles Proceed
For Saimon Oliveira, the loss extends a troubling streak that has defined his UFC tenure. The 34-year-old entered the bout on a three-fight losing streak, having been finished in his previous two outings against David Martinez and Daniel Marcos. The numerous weight miss only compounded his problems, suggesting preparation issues which will have contributed to his downfall.
David Martinez vs Saimon Oliveira | FINISH
On March 29, 2025, on the CDMX Arena in Mexico City, Mexico, heavy favorite David Martinez faced Saimon Oliveira. Martinez looked cool, calm, and picked up throughout the bout. In the ultimate minute of Round 1, he unleashed a… pic.twitter.com/cQmtSdL3AR
— MMAVisualized (@MMAVisualized) April 7, 2025
Oliveira’s UFC record now stands at 0-4, putting his future with the promotion in serious jeopardy. Despite possessing dangerous submission skills of his own, with 11 of his 18 profession victories coming via tapout, Oliveira has been unable to showcase those abilities against UFC-level competition.
The result serves as a stark reminder of the unforgiving nature of mixed martial arts at the best level, where preparation, discipline, and execution are paramount to success. Oliveira’s inability to make weight by such a big margin likely played a vital role in his performance, as the extra weight cut attempts can have compromised his conditioning and focus.
Lacerda’s triumph at UFC Rio represents greater than only a victory; it is a testament to perseverance and the facility of fighting on home soil. Together with his first UFC win now secured, the submission specialist has bought himself time to proceed developing his skills and establishing himself as a legitimate contender within the bantamweight division.