Charles Oliveira's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A success timeline featuring the most significant achievements of Charles Oliveira.

Charles Oliveira is a Brazilian mixed martial artist and a highly skilled Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioner, holding a fourth-degree black belt. He competes in the UFC's Lightweight division and is a former UFC Lightweight Champion. As of July 1, 2025, he is ranked #3 in the UFC lightweight rankings and #15 in the UFC men's pound-for-pound rankings, highlighting his status as one of the top competitors in the sport.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

2004: São Paulo Championship Win

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

2005: Copa Nação Jiu-Jitsu Win

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

2006: 16 Medals Won

In 2006, Oliveira won a total of 16 medals.

2007: CBJJE World Champion

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

March 2008: Predator FC 9 Tournament Win

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.

2008: CBJJE Achievements

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

January 2010: Sherdog's Top Brazilian Prospect

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

February 2010: Two Wins in One Night

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

2010: Black Belt in BJJ

In 2010, 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, at UFC Live: Kongo vs. Barry, Oliveira's fight against Nik Lentz ended in a no contest after an illegal knee went unnoticed, but both fighters earned Fight of the Night honors.

January 28, 2012: Submission Win Over Eric Wisely

On January 28, 2012, at UFC on Fox: Evans vs. Davis, Oliveira defeated Eric Wisely via reverse calf slicer, earning a Submission of the Night award and marking the first time the technique had been used to finish an opponent in UFC history.

June 1, 2012: Win Over Jonathan Brookins

On June 1, 2012, at The Ultimate Fighter 15 Finale, Oliveira defeated Jonathan Brookins via second-round anaconda choke.

July 6, 2013: Loss to Frankie Edgar

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

February 15, 2014: Win Over Andy Ogle

On February 15, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 36, Oliveira defeated Andy Ogle via triangle choke submission, earning a Performance of the Night bonus.

June 28, 2014: Win Over Hatsu Hioki

On June 28, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 43, Oliveira defeated Hatsu Hioki via submission, becoming the first man to finish Hioki and earning a Performance of the Night award.

December 12, 2014: Win Over Jeremy Stephens

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

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

On May 30, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 67, Oliveira defeated Nik Lentz via guillotine choke submission in the third round, earning his third Performance of the Night bonus and his third Fight of the Night bonus.

December 19, 2015: Win Over Myles Jury Despite Missing Weight

On December 19, 2015, at UFC on Fox 17, Oliveira defeated Myles Jury via submission in the first round, despite missing weight for the bout.

April 8, 2017: Submission Win Over Will Brooks

On April 8, 2017, at UFC 210, Oliveira defeated Will Brooks via rear-naked choke submission in the first round, earning a Performance of the Night bonus.

September 22, 2018: Submission Win Over Christos Giagos

On September 22, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 137, Oliveira defeated Christos Giagos via submission, surpassing Royce Gracie for the most submission wins in UFC history (11), earning a Performance of the Night award.

December 15, 2018: Submission Win Over Jim Miller

On December 15, 2018, at UFC on Fox 31, Oliveira defeated Jim Miller via rear-naked choke in the first round, earning his seventh Performance of the Night award and extending the record for most submissions in UFC History with 12.

February 2, 2019: Submission Win Over David Teymur

On February 2, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 144, Oliveira defeated David Teymur via anaconda choke, extending the UFC record for most submission wins to thirteen and earning a Performance of the Night award.

May 18, 2019: Wins against Nik Lentz via TKO

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

November 16, 2019: Wins against Jared Gordon via Knockout

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

January 2020: Grappling Superfight Win at SFT 20

In January 2020, Charles Oliveira won a grappling superfight by decision against Lucas Barros at the MMA event SFT 20 under IBJJF rules, competing in a jiu-jitsu gi in a cage.

March 14, 2020: Wins against Kevin Lee via Submission

On March 14, 2020, Charles Oliveira faced Kevin Lee at UFC Fight Night 170. Lee missed weight, and Oliveira won the fight via submission in the third round. Oliveira earned the Performance of the Night award, extended his UFC record for most submission wins to 14, moved to second place in terms of bonuses received with 16, extended his finishing streak to 7, and tied with Donald Cerrone for the most finishes in the UFC.

December 12, 2020: Wins against Tony Ferguson via Unanimous Decision

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: Wins UFC Lightweight Championship against Michael Chandler

On May 15, 2021, Charles Oliveira faced Michael Chandler at UFC 262 for the vacant UFC Lightweight Championship. Despite being dropped in the first round, Oliveira won the fight via technical knockout in the second round to claim the title, recording the most finishes in UFC history. He also earned the Performance of the Night bonus award.

December 11, 2021: Wins against Dustin Poirier

On December 11, 2021, Charles Oliveira made his first title defense against Dustin Poirier at UFC 269. After being knocked down in the first round, Oliveira won by submission in the third round. He also earned his twelfth Performance of the Night bonus award, setting a new company record.

May 6, 2023: Wins against Beneil Dariush

On May 6, 2023, Charles Oliveira was scheduled to face Beneil Dariush at UFC 288, but the bout was postponed to UFC 289 due to injury. He won the bout via technical knockout in the first round, earning his thirteenth Performance of the Night bonus award.

November 16, 2024: Wins against Michael Chandler via Unanimous Decision

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

April 26, 2025: Recipient of the 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.