Charles Oliveira

Background

Oliveira was born in Guarujá, São Paulo, Brazil and began training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at the age of 12, winning his first major title as a white belt in 2003.

Early career

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

In March 2008, Oliveira made his professional debut at the Predador FC 9 - Welterweight Grand Prix event. In the first round Oliveira defeated Jackson Pontes via submission (rear-naked choke) which advanced him to the second stage of the tournament held the same night. Oliveira's second stage fight was against Viscardi Andrade. In the second round of the fight, 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.

After defeating Mehdi Baghdad in December 2008, Oliveira entered into another tournament, 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).

Oliveira is managed by Wade Hampel of Big Fight Management.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

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 tapout. 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.

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 has recently stated that after going 0-2-1 NC in his last 3 fights he plans on dropping down to the featherweight division.

Oliveira was briefly linked to a bout with 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.

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.

Oliveira faced Frankie Edgar on July 6, 2013 at UFC 162, he lost 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.

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.

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 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.

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, Oliveria won the fight via guillotine choke submission in the third round. The win earned Oliveria his third Performance of the Night bonus and his third Fight of the Night bonus.

Oliveira faced Max Holloway on August 23, 2015 at UFC Fight Night 74. He lost the fight via TKO in the first round after suffering an apparent neck/shoulder injury while attempting a takedown and was unable to continue. The injury was later described as a micro-tear in his esophagus, although Oliveira was released from a Saskatoon hospital the next day, and tested negative for major chest, neck and/or throat injuries. He later confirmed that he suffered a minor neck injury, related to a previous injury from his training camp. He will not require surgery.

Oliveira faced Myles Jury on December 19, 2015 at UFC on Fox 17. In the lead up to the fight Oliveira missed weight - his third time in his UFC career - for the bout and it was subsequently contested at a catchweight. Oliveira won the fight via submission in the first round.

Oliveira next faced Anthony Pettis on August 27, 2016 at UFC on Fox 21. After a grueling back-and-forth battle, with Pettis generally dominating standing up and Oliveira repeatedly taking Pettis down, Pettis submitted Oliveira in the third round via guillotine choke.

Oliveira faced Ricardo Lamas on November 5, 2016 at The Ultimate Fighter Latin America 3 Finale. The bout was contested at a catchweight of 155 lbs, as Oliveira missed weight by nearly 10 lbs. Lamas won the fight via submission in the second round.

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

Mixed martial arts