Charles Oliveira

Charles Oliveira da Silva is a former UFC Lightweight Champion with a professional MMA record of 35 wins, 10 losses, and 1 no-contest as of June 2025. Oliveira is currently ranked No. 2 in the UFC Lightweight Rankings.

Early Life and Career

Charles Oliveira was born in the slums of Brazil's Guarujá, a popular tourist destination. At the age of 12, a neighbor by the name of "Paulo" introduced Oliveira to Brazilian jiu-jitsu. The BJJ gym's instructor provided training for free as part of a social program, considering Charles's impoverished family.

One of the most successful fighters in the UFC right now, Oliveira suffered from health issues and frequently remained bedridden as a kid. The doctor warned his family that he might develop paraplegia after being diagnosed with rheumatic fever and a heart murmur severely impacting his ankle. Oliveira made his professional debut in mixed martial arts at the Predator Fight Championship in March 2008.

Charles Oliveira’s Career in UFC

In 2010, Charles Oliveira signed with the UFC and competed against Darren Elkins in his debut. Forty-one seconds into the first round, Oliveira submitted Elkins (via armbar) to kick off his career in the promotion. Oliveira next fought at UFC Fight Night 22 against Efrain Escudero, who was initially supposed to face Matt Wiman. The fight got called off due to Wiman's injury.

Oliveira was off to a solid start with two confident and consecutive wins after joining the UFC. However, at UFC 124, Oliveira suffered his first defeat in his MMA career in his third match against Jim Miller on December 11, 2010. Miller submitted Charles via kneebar at the beginning of the first round.

Oliveira fought notable names in the UFC, including Donald Cerrone, Max Holloway, and Will Brooks. On December 15, 2018, while he was on a two-fight winning streak, Oliveira fought Miller again at UFC on Fox: Lee vs. Iaquinta 2; he scored a victory, defeating him via submission (rear-naked choke). Oliveira then went on a wild nine-fight winning streak, defeating Michael Chandler to win the vacant lightweight championship.

Oliveira defended his championship against Dustin Poirier at UFC 269. He missed weight in his next fight against Justin Gaethje at UFC 274, leaving Gaethje as the only one eligible to win the belt. Oliveira won the battle against Gaethje via first-round submission (rear-naked choke) but was stripped of the title. On October 22, 2022, at UFC 280, he competed against Islam Makhachev for the vacant UFC lightweight championship. Makachev defeated Oliveira via arm-triangle choke in the second round, winning the bout.

Coming off a loss at Makhachev's hands, Oliveira squared off against Beneil Dariush at UFC 289 on June 10, 2023. He dispatched Dariush in the first round and won the fight by a first-round TKO to return to winning ways. In the following bout, Oliveira took on Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 300 on April 13, 2024, in a UFC lightweight championship eliminator bout. After a closely contested showdown, it was decided in Tsarukyan's favor, leading to Oliveira's loss by split decision. Oliveira returned to winning ways by defeating Michael Chandler at UFC 309 by a unanimous decision.

Charles Oliveira's Record

Charles Oliveira has a professional MMA record of 35 wins, 10 losses, and one no-contest as of June 25, 2025. He has defeated 10 of his rivals by knockouts, 21 by submission, and four by decision. Oliveira has lost four fights by knockout, four by submission, and two by decision as of this date.

Read More About: How many title defenses does Charles Oliveira have?

Charles Oliveira's Most Popular Fights

Charles Oliveira vs Islam Makhachev

On October 22, UFC 280: Oliveira vs. Makhachev took place at Abu Dhabi's Etihad Arena in the United Arab Emirates. In the evening's main event, former UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira (33-9, 1 NC) and Islam Makhachev (23-1) squared off for the vacant lightweight championship. Islam Makachev won the bout, submitting Charles Oliveira 3:16 into the second round via an arm triangle choke.

Charles Oliveira vs Justin Gaethje

When Oliveira failed to make weight for his title match against Justin Gaethje in May earlier this year at the Footprint Center, Phoenix, he was stripped of his lightweight title. However, on the fight day, the former lightweight champion dropped Gaethje with a menacing right hand early in the first round, pinning him to the ground and submitting him with a rear-naked choke, winning the bout.

Charles Oliveira vs Dustin Poirier

At UFC 269, Charles Oliveira faced Dustin Poirier, submitting Poirier in the third round with a rear naked choke, retaining the UFC lightweight title.

Last updated on June 25, 2025