Charles Oliveira da Silva is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist and fourth-degree black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
Known by his nickname “Do Bronx,” a nod to the slang term for favelas, Oliveira has risen from humble beginnings to become one of the most celebrated fighters in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
Diagnosed with a heart murmur and rheumatic fever at age seven, doctors once warned he might never play sports.
Defying these odds, Oliveira began training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu at age 12, eventually transitioning to mixed martial arts (MMA) in 2007.
Siblings
Charles grew up in a tight-knit family, and his siblings have played a significant role in his life and career.
He has two known brothers, Hermison Oliveira and Guilherme Oliveira, both of whom share a connection to the world of martial arts, reflecting the family’s fighting spirit.
Hermison Oliveira, three years younger than Charles, is a professional MMA fighter competing in the flyweight division with a record of 11-8-0.
He has competed in promotions like Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFA), aiming to carve his own path in MMA while citing Charles as his biggest inspiration.
Guilherme Oliveira, Charles’s other brother, is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt and accomplished grappler.
He has competed in numerous BJJ tournaments, amassing several medals and establishing himself as a respected figure in the grappling community.
Career
Growing up in poverty, Oliveira worked alongside his family selling snacks and collecting recyclable materials to make ends meet.
His introduction to Brazilian jiu-jitsu came through a neighbor, Paulo, who connected him with coach Roger Coelho, who offered free classes to kids from low-income families.
Oliveira quickly excelled, winning the São Paulo State Championship at age 14 and earning multiple medals in major tournaments, including the CBJJE World Championship and South American Championship by 2008.
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He transitioned to MMA in 2007, making his professional debut in 2008 at the Predador Fight Championship, where he won a welterweight Grand Prix tournament by defeating three opponents in a single night.
His early success led to a 12-0 record in Brazil, with six knockouts and five submissions, catching the attention of the UFC.
Oliveira signed with the UFC in 2010, debuting against Darren Elkins with a 41-second armbar submission.
Despite early ups and downs, including a 10-8-1 record and struggles at featherweight, his return to lightweight in 2017 marked the beginning of a legendary run.
From 2017 to 2022, he went on an 11-fight win streak, defeating top contenders like Jim Miller, Kevin Lee, Tony Ferguson, Dustin Poirier, and Justin Gaethje.
In 2021, he won the vacant UFC lightweight title against Michael Chandler at UFC 262, cementing his status as one of the division’s elite.
Although he lost the title in 2022 due to a controversial weight miss and was defeated by Islam Makhachev at UFC 280, Oliveira bounced back with notable wins, including a TKO over Beneil Dariush in 2023 and a unanimous decision over Chandler in a rematch at UFC 309 in 2024.
His career is defined by his relentless aggression, submission prowess, and ability to overcome challenges, making him a fan favorite and a symbol of perseverance.
Accolades
Oliveira holds several UFC records, including the most submission wins (16), most finishes (20), and most performance bonuses (20), a milestone achieved at UFC 309 when he and Chandler earned Fight of the Night honors.
His submission victories include four anaconda chokes, four guillotine chokes, nine rear-naked chokes, a triangle choke, a calf slicer, an armbar, and a triangle armbar, showcasing his versatility as a grappler.
Oliveira’s 23 UFC wins rank second all-time behind Jim Miller, and his 36 fights in the promotion are tied for the fourth most.
He earned the UFC lightweight championship in 2021 and defended it against Dustin Poirier at UFC 269.
His performance bonuses include 13 Performance of the Night awards and four Fight of the Night awards, reflecting his exciting, all-action fighting style.
Beyond the octagon, Oliveira’s BJJ achievements include a São Paulo State Championship in 2003, a Copa Nação Jiu-Jitsu title in 2005, 16 medals in 2006, and a two-time CBJJE World Championship in 2007.
He earned his BJJ black belt in 2010 and won a grappling match by decision in 2020 under IBJJF rules.
Oliveira’s contributions extend to his community, where he founded the CB Institute, a non-profit offering free MMA and BJJ training to underprivileged youth in Guarujá.
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