Charles Oliveira

Charles Oliveira da Silva (born 17 October 1989) is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist and fourth degree black belt Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioner. Oliveira currently competes in the Lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he is a former UFC Lightweight Champion. As of January 27, 2026, he is #3 in the UFC lightweight rankings.

Oliveira started training Brazilian jiu-jitsu in his youth, achieving multiple championship titles before transitioning to MMA in 2007. Oliveira holds multiple UFC records, notably the most submission wins in the organization's history at 17, most finishes at 21 and most bonuses at 21.

Early life

From humble origins, Oliveira was born in the favela of Vicente de Carvalho in the town of Guarujá, São Paulo, Brazil on 17 October 1989. At age 7, he was diagnosed with heart murmur and rheumatic fever, and told by a doctor that he couldn't play sports. His parents decided against it and let him play sports as his condition healed over time. At 12 years old, a neighbor introduced him to a Brazilian jiu-jitsu gym where trainer Roger Coelho gave free classes to low-income people. His family helped fund his future training by selling street snacks and discarded cardboard. He then became São Paulo champion just two months after starting jiu-jitsu.

Brazilian jiu-jitsu career

In 2004 Oliveira won the São Paulo championship a second time, the Copa Nação Jiu-Jitsu in 2005 and in 2006 won a total of 16 medals. In 2007, as a blue belt he became two-time CBJJE World Champion, winning silver the following year as a purple belt, and becoming 2008 CBJJE South American Champion. Oliveira received all his belts from Coelho up until the brown rank.

By 2007 he started to steer his career to focus on MMA. He was awarded his black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu under Ericson Cardoso and Jorge "Macaco" Patino in 2010.

In January 2020 Oliveira fought a grappling superfight at the MMA event SFT 20 against Lucas Barros from Demian Maia Jiu-Jitsu. Oliveira and Barros fought with a jiu-jitsu gi in a cage under IBJJF rules. Charles won by decision.

Oliveira was booked to compete against Cristiano Souza in the main event of Gold Talents BJJ 2 on August 6, 2023.

Fellow UFC veteran Renan Barão announced in July 2023 that he had a grappling match with Oliveira arranged for a future BJJ Stars event.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Oliveira began his career in 2007 in his home country of Brazil, compiling a record of 12–0, with six knockouts and five submissions. On three separate occasions, Oliveira has compiled multiple wins on the same night.

His first bout was in the amateur MMA event Circuito Nacional de Vale-Tudo Amador ("National Amateur Vale-Tudo Circuit") against Rui Machado, Oliveira submitted him with an armbar 15 seconds into the first round.

In March 2008, Oliveira made his professional debut at the Predador Fight Championship promotion, where his master Jorge Patino had previously participated at Predator FC 6. The event was the "Predator FC 9 – Welterweight Grand Prix", a one-night single-elimination tournament similar to the "Grand Prix" events held by Pride FC, where the competitors would have to fight three times to be crowned the champion. In the first round, Oliveira defeated Jackson Pontes via submission (rear-naked choke), which advanced him to the second stage of the tournament. Oliveira's second stage fight was against Viscardi Andrade. In the second round, Oliveira won via TKO (punches) and advanced to the final round of the tournament. Oliveira won the tournament by defeating Diego Braga via TKO (punches) in the first round of the fight.

Oliveira debuted at lightweight by defeating future UFC fighter Mehdi Baghdad in December 2008 at the first event of promotion "Kawai Arena". After that he entered into another tournament at "Korea Fight", where he defeated Daniel Fernandes and Eliene Silva via KO and TKO, respectively.

Oliveira submitted three opponents in a row over the next few months (including Bellator veteran Alexandre Bezerra), and won a split decision over Eduardo Pachu.

Oliveira once again competed twice in one night, in February 2010, defeating Rosenildo Rocha via submission (rear-naked choke) in the first round and Diego Bataglia via KO (slam).

Ultimate Fighting Championship

2010

In January 2010, Oliveira was named as the third-best Brazilian prospect to watch in 2010, according to Sherdog.

Oliveira then signed for the UFC and made his debut against Darren Elkins. This fight was originally scheduled for The Ultimate Fighter: Team Liddell vs. Team Ortiz Finale, but was rescheduled for UFC Live: Jones vs. Matyushenko due to visa issues. Oliveira defeated Elkins via submission (armbar) after 41 seconds of the first round. Oliveira was taken down early by Elkins but quickly attempted a triangle choke, before transitioning to an armbar, forcing the tap out. The submission earned him the Submission of the Night award.

Oliveira next fought against Efrain Escudero at UFC Fight Night 22 replacing an injured Matt Wiman. The bout, which served as co-main event would become a catchweight bout after Escudero weighed in at 159 lb. Oliveira went on to defeat Escudero in the third round via standing rear-naked choke. Oliveira was awarded the Submission of the Night award for his second successive UFC appearance.

Oliveira faced Jim Miller on December 11, 2010, at UFC 124. Oliveira was quickly submitted via kneebar in the first round; this marked the first loss of his career.

2011

Oliveira faced Nik Lentz on June 26, 2011, at UFC Live: Kongo vs. Barry. The fight ended in the second round after Oliveira hit Lentz with an illegal knee which went unnoticed by the referee and submitted the dazed Lentz via rear-naked choke. However, after reviewing the incident, the Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission overturned the result and declared it a no contest. The back and forth action earned both fighters Fight of the Night honors.

Oliveira was expected to face Joe Lauzon on November 19, 2011, at UFC 138. However, Oliveira instead faced Donald Cerrone on August 14, 2011, at UFC on Versus 5, replacing an injured Paul Taylor. He lost the fight via TKO (punches) at 3:01 of the first round. His trainer stated that after going 0–2–1 NC in his last 3 fights he planned to drop down to the featherweight division.

2012

Oliveira was originally meant to face Robert Peralta on January 20, 2012, at UFC on FX: Guillard vs. Miller, but instead faced promotional newcomer Eric Wisely in a featherweight fight on January 28, 2012, at UFC on Fox: Evans vs. Davis. Oliveira won the fight via reverse calf slicer submission in the first round, marking the first time the technique had been used to finish an opponent in UFC history. This fight earned him another Submission of the Night award.

Oliveira faced Jonathan Brookins on June 1, 2012, at The Ultimate Fighter 15 Finale. Oliveira used his speed to outstrike Brookins and won the fight via second round anaconda choke.

Oliveira faced Cub Swanson on September 22, 2012, at UFC 152. Early in the first round, Swanson hit Oliveira with body shots, which visibly appeared to hurt Oliveira. Swanson followed it up with an overhand right, sending Oliveira to the canvas and resulting in a KO.

2013

Oliveira faced Frankie Edgar on July 6, 2013, at UFC 162. He lost the bout via unanimous decision. Both fighters earned Fight of the Night honors for their performance.

Oliveira was expected to face Estevan Payan on October 19, 2013, at UFC 166. However, Payan was forced out of the bout citing a broken foot and was replaced by Jeremy Larsen. Subsequently, on October 5, Oliveira pulled out of the Larsen bout citing a strained thigh muscle.

2014

Oliveira faced Andy Ogle on February 15, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 36. He won the fight via triangle choke submission in the third round. The win also earned him one of the first UFC Performance of the Night bonus awards.

Oliveira faced Hatsu Hioki on June 28, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 43. He won the fight via submission and became the first man to finish Hioki. This fight earned him another Performance of the Night award.

Oliveira was expected to face Nik Lentz in a rematch on September 5, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 50. At the event weigh-in, Oliveira came in over the 146-pound featherweight limit at 150 pounds. Subsequently, he was initially forced to surrender 20 percent of his purse to his opponent Nik Lentz and the bout was changed to a catchweight affair. In turn, Oliveira was pulled from the event entirely on the day of the event after he fell ill from the effects of the weight cutting process.

Oliveira faced Jeremy Stephens on December 12, 2014, at The Ultimate Fighter 20 Finale. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

2015

Oliveira finally faced Nik Lentz in a rematch on May 30, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 67. Following a back and forth first two rounds, Oliveira won the fight via guillotine choke submission in the third round. The win earned Oliveira his third Performance of the Night bonus and his third Fight of the Night bonus.