History of Charles Oliveira in Timeline

Charles Oliveira is a Brazilian mixed martial artist, a fourth-degree black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and a former UFC Lightweight Champion. As of April 2024, he holds the #2 ranking in the UFC lightweight division and is ranked #14 in the UFC men's pound-for-pound list. He competes in the Lightweight division of the UFC. He's known for his grappling skills and exciting fighting style within the sport.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

October 1989: Early life and diagnosis

In October 1989, Charles Oliveira was born in Guarujá, São Paulo, Brazil. At age 7, he was diagnosed with heart murmur and rheumatic fever but continued to play sports against doctor's orders.

October 17, 1989: Charles Oliveira's Birth

On October 17, 1989, Charles Oliveira da Silva was born. He is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist.

2004: São Paulo Championship Win

In 2004, Oliveira won the São Paulo championship for the second time.

2005: Copa Nação Jiu-Jitsu Win

In 2005, Oliveira won the Copa Nação Jiu-Jitsu.

2006: 16 Medals

In 2006, Oliveira won a total of 16 medals.

2007: Focus on MMA

By 2007, Oliveira started to focus his career on MMA.

2007: CBJJE World Champion

In 2007, Oliveira became a two-time CBJJE World Champion as a blue belt.

2007: Start of MMA Career

In 2007, Oliveira began his MMA career in Brazil, compiling a record of 12–0.

March 2008: Professional Debut at Predator FC 9

In March 2008, Oliveira made his professional debut at Predator FC 9, winning the "Welterweight Grand Prix" tournament by defeating Jackson Pontes, Viscardi Andrade and Diego Braga in one night.

December 2008: Lightweight Debut and Tournament

In December 2008, Oliveira debuted at lightweight, defeating Mehdi Baghdad at Kawai Arena and then entered a tournament at Korea Fight, defeating Daniel Fernandes and Eliene Silva.

2008: CBJJE Achievements

In 2008, Oliveira won silver at the CBJJE World Championship as a purple belt and became the CBJJE South American Champion.

January 2010: Sherdog Ranking

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

February 2010: Two Wins in One Night

In February 2010, Oliveira competed twice in one night, defeating Rosenildo Rocha and Diego Bataglia.

December 11, 2010: UFC 124 Fight Against Jim Miller

On December 11, 2010, Oliveira faced Jim Miller at UFC 124, where he was submitted via kneebar in the first round. This marked the first loss of his career.

2010: Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

In 2010, Oliveira was awarded his black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu under Ericson Cardoso and Jorge "Macaco" Patino.

June 26, 2011: Fight against Nik Lentz at UFC Live

On June 26, 2011, at UFC Live: Kongo vs. Barry, Oliveira fought Nik Lentz. The fight initially ended with an Oliveira win, but was overturned to a no contest due to an illegal knee. Both fighters earned Fight of the Night honors.

August 14, 2011: Fight Against Donald Cerrone at UFC on Versus 5

On August 14, 2011, Oliveira faced Donald Cerrone at UFC on Versus 5, replacing Paul Taylor. He lost the fight via TKO in the first round.

November 19, 2011: Expected Fight Against Joe Lauzon

Charles Oliveira was expected to face Joe Lauzon on November 19, 2011, at UFC 138, but it didn't happen.

January 20, 2012: Expected Fight Against Robert Peralta

Charles Oliveira was originally meant to face Robert Peralta on January 20, 2012, at UFC on FX: Guillard vs. Miller, but it didn't happen.

January 28, 2012: Fight against Eric Wisely at UFC on Fox

On January 28, 2012, Oliveira faced Eric Wisely at UFC on Fox: Evans vs. Davis, winning via reverse calf slicer submission in the first round. This earned him a Submission of the Night award.

June 1, 2012: Fight against Jonathan Brookins at The Ultimate Fighter 15 Finale

On June 1, 2012, Oliveira fought Jonathan Brookins at The Ultimate Fighter 15 Finale, winning via anaconda choke in the second round.

September 22, 2012: Fight against Cub Swanson at UFC 152

On September 22, 2012, Oliveira faced Cub Swanson at UFC 152, losing via KO in the first round.

July 6, 2013: Fight against Frankie Edgar at UFC 162

On July 6, 2013, Oliveira fought Frankie Edgar at UFC 162, losing via unanimous decision. Both fighters earned Fight of the Night honors.

October 19, 2013: Expected Fight Against Estevan Payan

On October 19, 2013, Oliveira was expected to face Estevan Payan at UFC 166, but Payan was forced out. Oliveira then pulled out of the replacement bout citing a strained thigh muscle.

February 15, 2014: Fight against Andy Ogle at UFC Fight Night 36

On February 15, 2014, Oliveira fought Andy Ogle at UFC Fight Night 36, winning via triangle choke submission in the third round. This earned him a Performance of the Night bonus award.

June 28, 2014: Fight against Hatsu Hioki at UFC Fight Night 43

On June 28, 2014, Oliveira fought Hatsu Hioki at UFC Fight Night 43, winning via submission and becoming the first man to finish Hioki. This earned him a Performance of the Night award.

September 5, 2014: Pulled from UFC Fight Night 50

On September 5, 2014, Oliveira was scheduled to face Nik Lentz at UFC Fight Night 50 but was pulled from the event after falling ill from the weight cutting process. He also came in over the featherweight limit at the weigh-in.

December 12, 2014: Fight against Jeremy Stephens at The Ultimate Fighter 20 Finale

On December 12, 2014, Oliveira faced Jeremy Stephens at The Ultimate Fighter 20 Finale, winning via unanimous decision.

2014: Last Win by Decision Before Ferguson Fight

In 2014, Charles Oliveira had his last win by decision against Jeremy Stephens before his fight against Tony Ferguson in December 12, 2020.

May 30, 2015: Fight against Nik Lentz at UFC Fight Night 67

On May 30, 2015, Oliveira fought Nik Lentz at UFC Fight Night 67, winning via guillotine choke submission in the third round. The win earned him his third Performance of the Night bonus and his third Fight of the Night bonus.

August 23, 2015: Fight against Max Holloway at UFC Fight Night 74

On August 23, 2015, Oliveira fought Max Holloway at UFC Fight Night 74. He lost the fight via TKO in the first round, after suffering a neck/shoulder injury while attempting a takedown.

December 19, 2015: Fight against Myles Jury at UFC on Fox 17

On December 19, 2015, Oliveira faced Myles Jury at UFC on Fox 17. Oliveira missed weight for the bout, which was then contested at a catchweight. He won the fight via submission in the first round.

August 27, 2016: Fight against Anthony Pettis at UFC on Fox 21

On August 27, 2016, Oliveira faced Anthony Pettis at UFC on Fox 21. Pettis submitted Oliveira in the third round via guillotine choke.

November 5, 2016: Fight against Ricardo Lamas at The Ultimate Fighter Latin America 3 Finale

On November 5, 2016, Oliveira faced Ricardo Lamas at The Ultimate Fighter Latin America 3 Finale. Oliveira missed weight by nearly 10 lbs and Lamas won the fight via submission in the second round.

April 8, 2017: Fight against Will Brooks at UFC 210

On April 8, 2017, Oliveira faced Will Brooks at UFC 210, winning by rear-naked choke submission in the first round. He was awarded a Performance of the Night bonus.

December 2, 2017: Fight against Paul Felder at UFC 218

On December 2, 2017, Oliveira faced Paul Felder at UFC 218. He lost the fight via TKO in the second round.

September 22, 2018: Fight against Christos Giagos at UFC Fight Night 137

On September 22, 2018, Oliveira faced Christos Giagos at UFC Fight Night 137, winning via submission in the second round. This win gave Oliveira the most submission wins (11) in UFC history, earning him a Performance of the Night award.

December 15, 2018: Fight against Jim Miller at UFC on Fox 31

On December 15, 2018, Oliveira faced Jim Miller in a rematch at UFC on Fox 31, winning via rear-naked choke submission in the first round. This earned him a seventh Performance of the Night award and extended his record for most submissions in UFC History to 12.

2018: Joins Chute Boxe Diego Lima

In 2018, Oliveira joined Chute Boxe Diego Lima in São Paulo to improve his striking game, while Jorge "Macaco" Patino remained his BJJ coach.

February 2, 2019: Fight against David Teymur at UFC Fight Night 144

On February 2, 2019, Oliveira faced David Teymur at UFC Fight Night 144, winning in the second round via anaconda choke. This extended the UFC record for most submission wins to thirteen. This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.

May 18, 2019: Oliveira vs. Lentz Trilogy Fight

On May 18, 2019, Charles Oliveira faced Nik Lentz in a trilogy fight at UFC Fight Night 152. Oliveira won the fight via TKO in the second round.

November 16, 2019: Oliveira vs. Gordon at UFC Fight Night 164

On November 16, 2019, Charles Oliveira faced Jared Gordon at UFC Fight Night 164, replacing Leonardo Santos. Oliveira won the fight by knockout in the first round, earning him the Performance of the Night award.

January 2020: Grappling Superfight at SFT 20

In January 2020, Oliveira competed in a grappling superfight at the MMA event SFT 20 against Lucas Barros. Oliveira won by decision under IBJJF rules.

March 14, 2020: Oliveira vs. Lee at UFC Fight Night 170

On March 14, 2020, Charles Oliveira faced Kevin Lee at UFC Fight Night 170. Lee missed weight, and Oliveira won the fight via submission with a guillotine choke in the third round. This earned Oliveira the Performance of the Night award, extending his UFC record for most submission wins to 14.

October 4, 2020: Oliveira Pulled Out of Fight Against Dariush

On October 4, 2020, Charles Oliveira was scheduled to meet Beneil Dariush at UFC on ESPN: Holm vs. Aldana. However, Oliveira pulled out of the fight in early September due to undisclosed reasons.

December 12, 2020: Oliveira vs. Ferguson at UFC 256

On December 12, 2020, Charles Oliveira faced Tony Ferguson at UFC 256. Oliveira won the fight via unanimous decision, marking his first win by decision since 2014.

May 15, 2021: Oliveira Wins UFC Lightweight Championship

On May 15, 2021, Charles Oliveira faced Michael Chandler for the vacant UFC Lightweight Championship at UFC 262. Oliveira won the fight via technical knockout in the second round, claiming the title and breaking the record for most finishes in UFC history. He also earned the Performance of the Night bonus award.

December 11, 2021: Oliveira's First Title Defense

On December 11, 2021, Charles Oliveira made his first title defense against Dustin Poirier at UFC 269. He won by submitting Poirier with a standing rear-naked choke, earning his twelfth Performance of the Night bonus award and setting a new company record.

October 2022: Oliveira Undergoes Corrective Eye Surgery

In October 2022, Charles Oliveira mentioned that his eyes are "100 percent perfect" after having had corrective eye surgery.

October 22, 2022: Oliveira Loses UFC Lightweight Championship

On October 22, 2022, Charles Oliveira faced Islam Makhachev for the vacant UFC Lightweight Championship at UFC 280. Oliveira lost the fight via arm-triangle choke submission in the second round.

February 2023: Oliveira Joins OnlyFans

In February 2023, Charles Oliveira announced that he was joining OnlyFans to provide a subscription-based service to his fans, where they can see his workouts and training regime among other content.

May 6, 2023: Oliveira Defeats Dariush at UFC 289

On May 6, 2023, Charles Oliveira was originally scheduled to face Beneil Dariush at UFC 288 but was postponed due to injury to UFC 289. He won the bout via technical knockout in the first round, finishing Dariush with ground and pound. The win also earned Oliveira his thirteenth Performance of the Night bonus award.

July 2023: Grappling Match with Renan Barão

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

August 6, 2023: Scheduled competition against Cristiano Souza

On August 6, 2023, Oliveira was scheduled to compete against Cristiano Souza at Gold Talents BJJ 2.

October 21, 2023: Oliveira Forced Off UFC 294 Due to Injury

On October 21, 2023, Charles Oliveira was booked to challenge Islam Makhachev in a rematch for the lightweight world championship at UFC 294. However, Oliveira was forced off from the event due to injuries and he was replaced by Alexander Volkanovski.

April 13, 2024: Oliveira vs. Tsarukyan at UFC 300

On April 13, 2024, Charles Oliveira faced Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 300. Despite having two close submission attempts, he lost the bout via split decision in this UFC lightweight title eliminator.

April 16, 2024: UFC Lightweight Rankings

As of April 16, 2024, Charles Oliveira is ranked #2 in the UFC lightweight rankings.

November 16, 2024: Oliveira vs. Chandler Rematch at UFC 309

On November 16, 2024, Charles Oliveira faced Michael Chandler in a rematch at UFC 309. He won the fight by unanimous decision, earning him another Fight of the Night award.