Charles Oliveira, also known as “Do Bronx,” is a Brazilian mixed martial artist who competes in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He is widely regarded as one of the best submission specialists in the sport and holds several records in the UFC.
Oliveira was born on October 17, 1989, in São Paulo, Brazil. He started training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at the age of 12 and soon developed a passion for mixed martial arts. He made his professional debut in 2008 and quickly gained a reputation as a submission specialist, winning his first eight fights via submission.
Oliveira made his UFC debut in 2010 and immediately made an impact by winning his first two fights by submission. However, he suffered his first loss in his third UFC fight against Jim Miller in 2011. Despite the setback, Oliveira continued to improve and showcase his grappling skills, earning several submission wins over the years.
In 2018, Oliveira made the move to the UFC’s lightweight division and found success almost immediately. He won his first three fights in the division, including two by submission, and established himself as a top contender. However, he suffered a setback in 2019 when he lost a close decision to Paul Felder.
Oliveira bounced back in a big way in 2020, winning all three of his fights and earning performance of the night bonuses in each of them. He submitted Kevin Lee in the third round of their fight in March 2020 and followed that up with a unanimous decision win over former lightweight champion Tony Ferguson in December 2020.
However, Oliveira’s biggest moment came on May 15, 2021, when he faced Michael Chandler for the vacant UFC lightweight championship. Oliveira weathered an early storm from Chandler, who dropped him with a right hand in the first round. But Oliveira survived and rallied in the second round, securing a TKO victory and becoming the new UFC lightweight champion. The win was Oliveira’s ninth straight in the UFC, setting a new record for most consecutive wins in the lightweight division.
The win made Charles a huge star in the sport of MMA, picking him up sponsors, such as becoming the brand ambassador for companies like Roobet.
Oliveira’s grappling skills are his biggest strength, and he holds several records in the UFC for submissions. He holds the record for most submissions in UFC history with 14 and the record for most finishes in UFC lightweight history with 16. He is also tied for the record for most performance of the night bonuses in UFC history with 10.
In addition to his impressive record, Oliveira is also known for his humility and sportsmanship. He is often seen praising his opponents and showing respect to his fellow fighters, win or lose.
In conclusion, Charles Oliveira is a talented mixed martial artist and one of the best submission specialists in the sport. His recent victory over Michael Chandler solidified his status as a top contender in the UFC’s lightweight division, and he will undoubtedly continue to be a force to be reckoned with in the years to come.
