History of Charles Oliveira in Timeline

Charles Oliveira is a Brazilian mixed martial artist competing in the UFC's Lightweight division. A fourth-degree black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, he is a former UFC Lightweight Champion. As of July 2025, he holds top rankings in both the lightweight and pound-for-pound categories within the UFC.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

October 1989: Birth and Early Life

In October 1989, Charles Oliveira was born in the favela of Vicente de Carvalho in Guarujá, São Paulo, Brazil. At age 7, he was diagnosed with heart murmur and rheumatic fever.

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 and Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioner.

2004: São Paulo Championship Win

In 2004, Charles Oliveira won the São Paulo championship in jiu-jitsu for a second time.

2005: Copa Nação Jiu-Jitsu Win

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

2006: Multiple Medal Wins

In 2006, Charles Oliveira won a total of 16 medals in jiu-jitsu competitions.

2007: CBJJE World Champion

In 2007, Charles Oliveira became a two-time CBJJE (Confederação Brasileira de Jiu-Jitsu Esportivo) World Champion as a blue belt.

2007: Professional Career Start in Brazil

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

2007: Focus on MMA

In 2007, Charles Oliveira began to focus his career on MMA.

March 2008: Professional Debut and Tournament Win

In March 2008, Charles Oliveira made his professional debut at the Predador Fight Championship's "Predator FC 9 – Welterweight Grand Prix", winning the tournament by defeating Jackson Pontes, Viscardi Andrade and Diego Braga.

December 2008: Lightweight Debut and Tournament

In December 2008, Charles Oliveira debuted at lightweight by defeating Mehdi Baghdad. He then entered and won a tournament at "Korea Fight", defeating Daniel Fernandes and Eliene Silva.

2008: Silver Medal and South American Champion

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

January 2010: Named Top Prospect

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

February 2010: Two Wins in One Night

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

December 11, 2010: First Career Loss

On December 11, 2010, Charles Oliveira faced Jim Miller at UFC 124, where he suffered his first career loss via kneebar submission in the first round.

2010: Black Belt in BJJ

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

June 26, 2011: No Contest Against Nik Lentz

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

August 14, 2011: Loss to Donald Cerrone

On August 14, 2011, Charles Oliveira faced Donald Cerrone at UFC on Versus 5, losing via TKO in the first round. After this loss he was planned to drop down to the featherweight division.

November 19, 2011: Scheduled Fight

Charles Oliveira was expected to face Joe Lauzon on November 19, 2011, at UFC 138, but the fight did not happen.

January 20, 2012: Scheduled Fight

Charles Oliveira was originally meant to face Robert Peralta on January 20, 2012, at UFC on FX: Guillard vs. Miller, but the fight did not happen.

January 28, 2012: Win Over Eric Wisely

On January 28, 2012, Charles Oliveira faced Eric Wisely at UFC on Fox: Evans vs. Davis, winning via reverse calf slicer submission in the first round, earning a Submission of the Night award. It was the first time that the technique had been used to finish an opponent in UFC history.

June 1, 2012: Win Against Jonathan Brookins

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

September 22, 2012: Loss to Cub Swanson

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

July 6, 2013: Loss to Frankie Edgar

On July 6, 2013, Charles Oliveira faced Frankie Edgar at UFC 162, losing the bout via unanimous decision, but both fighters earned Fight of the Night honors.

October 19, 2013: Expected Bout

Charles Oliveira was expected to face Estevan Payan on October 19, 2013, at UFC 166, but the fight did not happen due to Payan's injury and Oliveira pulling out due to his own injury.

February 15, 2014: Win Against Andy Ogle

On February 15, 2014, Charles Oliveira faced Andy Ogle at UFC Fight Night 36, winning the fight via triangle choke submission in the third round. He also earned a Performance of the Night bonus.

June 28, 2014: Win Against Hatsu Hioki

On June 28, 2014, Charles Oliveira faced Hatsu Hioki at UFC Fight Night 43, winning the fight via submission and becoming the first person to finish Hioki. He also earned a Performance of the Night award.

September 5, 2014: Pulled from Fight Due to Weight Cutting

On September 5, 2014, Charles Oliveira was scheduled for a rematch against Nik Lentz at UFC Fight Night 50. He missed weight and was pulled from the event due to illness from weight cutting.

December 12, 2014: Win Against Jeremy Stephens

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

2014: Last Decision Win Before Ferguson Fight

In 2014, prior to his fight against Tony Ferguson on December 12, 2020, Charles Oliveira's last win by decision was against Jeremy Stephens.

May 30, 2015: Win Against Nik Lentz

On May 30, 2015, Charles Oliveira faced Nik Lentz in a rematch at UFC Fight Night 67, winning the fight via guillotine choke submission in the third round. He earned his third Performance of the Night bonus and third Fight of the Night bonus.

August 23, 2015: Loss to Max Holloway

On August 23, 2015, Charles Oliveira faced Max Holloway at UFC Fight Night 74, losing the fight via TKO in the first round due to a neck/shoulder injury.

December 19, 2015: Win Against Myles Jury

On December 19, 2015, Charles Oliveira faced Myles Jury at UFC on Fox 17, winning the fight via submission in the first round. Oliveira missed weight for the bout, marking the third time in his UFC career.

August 27, 2016: Loss to Anthony Pettis

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

November 5, 2016: Loss to Ricardo Lamas

On November 5, 2016, Charles Oliveira faced Ricardo Lamas at The Ultimate Fighter Latin America 3 Finale, losing via submission in the second round. Oliveira missed weight for this fight.

April 8, 2017: Win Against Will Brooks

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

December 2, 2017: Loss to Paul Felder

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

September 22, 2018: Win Against Christos Giagos

On September 22, 2018, Charles Oliveira faced Christos Giagos at UFC Fight Night 137, winning the fight via submission in the second round, surpassing Royce Gracie for the most submission wins in UFC history. He also earned the Performance of the Night award.

December 15, 2018: Win Against Jim Miller

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

2018: Joined Chute Boxe Diego Lima

In 2018, Charles Oliveira joined Chute Boxe Diego Lima in São Paulo to improve his striking game, complementing his BJJ skills.

February 2, 2019: Win Against David Teymur

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

May 18, 2019: Oliveira vs. Nik Lentz Trilogy Fight

On May 18, 2019, Charles Oliveira faced Nik Lentz in a trilogy fight at UFC Fight Night 152 as the first fight of his new five-fight contract. Oliveira won the fight via TKO in the second round.

November 16, 2019: Oliveira vs. Jared 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 Win

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

March 14, 2020: Oliveira vs. Kevin 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 victory earned him the Performance of the Night award, extending his UFC record for most submission wins to 14.

October 4, 2020: Oliveira Pulls 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 for undisclosed reasons.

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

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

May 15, 2021: Oliveira Wins UFC Lightweight Championship at UFC 262

On May 15, 2021, Charles Oliveira faced Michael Chandler for the vacant UFC Lightweight Championship at UFC 262. Despite being dropped in the first round, Oliveira won by technical knockout in the second round, claiming the title and earning the Performance of the Night bonus award.

December 11, 2021: Oliveira Defends Title Against Poirier at UFC 269

On December 11, 2021, Charles Oliveira defended his UFC Lightweight title against Dustin Poirier at UFC 269. After being knocked down in the first round, Oliveira won by submission in the third round, earning his twelfth Performance of the Night bonus award.

October 2022: Oliveira Corrective Eye Surgery

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

October 22, 2022: Oliveira Loses Title to Makhachev at UFC 280

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 the bout was postponed to UFC 289 due to Oliveira's injury. He won the fight via technical knockout in the first round, earning his thirteenth Performance of the Night bonus award.

July 2023: Grappling Match Announcement

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

August 6, 2023: Booked to Compete Against Cristiano Souza

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

October 21, 2023: Oliveira Forced off UFC 294

On October 21, 2023, Charles Oliveira was scheduled 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.

November 16, 2024: Oliveira Defeats Chandler in 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. This fight earned him another Fight of the Night award.

April 26, 2025: Oliveira to Receive 2025 UFC Forrest Griffin Community Award

On April 26, 2025, it was announced that Charles Oliveira will be a recipient of the 2025 UFC Forrest Griffin Community Award for his institute "ICBronxs", which provides local youth with free education and jiu-jitsu training.

June 28, 2025: Oliveira Loses to Topuria at UFC 317

On June 28, 2025, Charles Oliveira faced Ilia Topuria for the vacant UFC Lightweight Championship at UFC 317. He lost the fight by knockout in the first round.

July 1, 2025: UFC Pound-for-Pound Ranking

As of July 1, 2025, Charles Oliveira is ranked #15 in the UFC men's pound-for-pound rankings.

July 29, 2025: UFC Lightweight Ranking

As of July 29, 2025, Charles Oliveira is ranked #4 in the UFC lightweight division.

October 11, 2025: Oliveira vs. Fiziev at UFC Fight Night 261

On October 11, 2025, Charles Oliveira is scheduled to face Rafael Fiziev in the main event at UFC Fight Night 261.

2025: Biopic Announced Based on Oliveira's Life

In 2025, 405 Films announced it secured the life rights for a biopic based on Charles Oliveira's early years and rise in the UFC. The film will be produced by Eduardo Ferro and shot in Brazil and Las Vegas.