Charles Oliveira, known as “Do Bronx,” is one of the most inspiring figures in the sport of mixed martial arts. Born on the tough streets of a Brazilian favela, he turned adversities into victories inside the octagon. With a fighting style that blends the ferocity of Muay Thai with the lethal precision of Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Oliveira is not just an elite athlete, but a symbol of overcoming for millions of young people across the country. His journey, full of twists, records, and moments of glory, continues to captivate fans around the world. In this report, we dive into the life and career of this MMA phenomenon, highlighting his evolution and the most recent chapters of his story.
Childhood on the Streets of Guarujá: The Roots of a Champion
A Childhood Marked by Challenges
Charles Oliveira da Silva came into the world on October 17, 1989, in the Vicente de Carvalho favela, in Guarujá, on the coast of São Paulo. Growing up in an environment like that wasn’t easy. Oliveira’s family faced constant financial difficulties, and young Charles, the youngest of nine siblings, watched his parents struggle to put food on the table. At seven years old, a diagnosis of a heart murmur and rheumatic fever changed everything: doctors recommended he avoid sports to not aggravate the condition. But Oliveira, with the stubbornness that would define him years later, didn’t give in. His parents, seeing their son’s gradual improvement, allowed him to explore the world of fighting.
The favela, with its dirt-packed streets and the constant sound of children playing despite the deprivations, shaped Charles’s character. He helped the family by selling snacks on the beach and collecting cardboard for recycling. These years of early effort taught him the value of hard work and the importance of resilience. “I saw the world as a daily fight, and that prepared me for the octagon,” he would say in an interview years later. It was in this context that, at 12 years old, a neighbor took him to a jiu-jitsu academy, changing the course of his life forever.
The Encounter with Jiu-Jitsu: A Portal to the Future
Roger Coelho’s academy in Guarujá was an oasis amid the chaos. Coelho, an experienced coach, offered free classes to low-income children, and Oliveira seized the opportunity with everything he had. In just two months of training, he had already won the São Paulo jiu-jitsu championship in the blue belt category. The boy’s gratitude was immense: “Jiu-jitsu saved me from the street,” he confided. His parents, proud, continued to support him, even if it meant sacrificing meals.
These first contacts with the mat weren’t just about technique; they were about discipline and self-confidence. Oliveira trained for hours on end, absorbing lessons that went beyond armlocks and submissions. At 15, he was already competing in regional tournaments, accumulating medals that adorned the humble walls of his home. This initial phase, full of modest victories, planted the seeds of a champion who would use jiu-jitsu as the foundation to dominate MMA.
The First Steps in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: From Blue to Black Belt
Early Achievements and Technical Evolution
Oliveira’s talent for jiu-jitsu was undeniable. In 2004, he won the São Paulo championship for the second time, establishing himself as a local promise. The following year, the Copa Nação Jiu-Jitsu fell into his hands, and in 2006, he added 16 medals from various competitions. As a blue belt in 2007, Oliveira shone at the CBJJE World Championship, becoming a two-time world champion. His rise continued in 2008, when, already in the purple belt, he took second place at the CBJJE World Championship and the South American CBJJE title.
These years were of intense learning. Trained by Coelho, Oliveira developed a versatile guard and a sharp instinct for transitions. He received his belts from Coelho up to brown, but in 2010, under the guidance of Ericson Cardoso and Jorge “Macaco” Patino, he would achieve the black belt – a milestone that placed him among the best in Brazil. Years later, in 2023, he would reach fourth-degree black belt, a testament to his continued dedication.
Transition to Professional Grappling
Even with the focus on MMA, Oliveira never abandoned his jiu-jitsu roots. In January 2020, he won a grappling superfight against Lucas Barros at SFT 20, by decision under IBJJF rules. In August 2023, he faced Cristiano Souza at Gold Talents BJJ 2, maintaining his impeccable form. A duel with Renan Barão was announced for a BJJ Stars event, showing that, even at the peak of MMA, he respected the pure mat.
In addition, Oliveira earned his black prajied in Muay Thai, integrating knee and elbow strikes into his arsenal of submissions. This fusion of styles made him unique: a grappler who finished standing or on the ground, always with relentless pressure.
Entry into Professional MMA: The Initial Battles
Amateur Debut and Professional
At 17 years old, in 2007, Oliveira debuted in amateur MMA, submitting Rui Machado with an armlock in just 15 seconds at the Circuito Nacional de Vale-Tudo Amador. This quick victory signaled the boy’s explosive potential. In March 2008, he turned professional at Predador FC 9, where he won the welterweight Grand Prix in a memorable night: rear-naked choke submission on Jackson Pontes, TKO by punches on Viscardi Andrade, and another TKO on Diego Braga.
His lightweight debut came in December 2008, with a TKO over Mehdi Baghdad at Kawai Arena 1. At Korea Fight, he knocked out Daniel Fernandes and submitted Elieni Silva with a knee and punches. A sequence of submissions followed: anaconda choke on Alexandre Bezerra and split decision over Eduardo Pachu. In February 2010, Oliveira fought twice in the same night, submitting Rosenildo Rocha and knocking out Diego Battaglia with a slam.
The Undefeated Record Pre-UFC
Before signing with the UFC, Oliveira accumulated 12 wins in 12 fights, with six knockouts and five submissions. He competed in three occasions with multiple fights in the same night, demonstrating superhuman endurance. These early years, between 2007 and 2009, were of consolidation: from a favela kid to an undefeated predator, ready for the biggest stage in MMA.
Arrival at the UFC: Challenges and Adaptations
First Fights and Baptism by Fire
In 2010, Oliveira signed with the UFC and debuted on August 1 at UFC Live: Jones vs. Matyushenko, submitting Darren Elkins with a triangle armbar in 41 seconds – Submission of the Night award. In September, at UFC Fight Night 22, he submitted Efrain Escudero by rear-naked choke in a catchweight bout, another submission bonus. But the first loss came in December, at UFC 124, by kneebar from Jim Miller.
In 2011, a fight with Nik Lentz at UFC Live: Kongo vs. Barry ended in no contest due to an illegal knee, earning Fight of the Night. He lost by TKO to Donald Cerrone at UFC on Versus 5. These setbacks didn’t break Oliveira; they forged him.
Weight Changes and Lessons Learned
In 2012, Oliveira dropped to featherweight, submitting Eric Wisely with a calf slicer at UFC on Fox: Evans vs. Davis – the first submission of that type in UFC history, with a submission bonus. He submitted Jonathan Brookins with an anaconda choke at The Ultimate Fighter 15 Finale, but was knocked out by Cub Swanson at UFC 152.
In 2013, he lost by unanimous decision to Frankie Edgar at UFC 162, Fight of the Night. Injuries sidelined him from bouts against Estevan Payan and Jeremy Larsen. In 2014, he returned strong: triangle choke on Andy Ogle at UFC Fight Night 36 (Performance of the Night), anaconda choke on Hatsu Hioki at UFC Fight Night 43 (first submission of Hioki, another bonus), and unanimous decision over Jeremy Stephens at The Ultimate Fighter 20 Finale, after missing weight.
Problems with weight cutting affected him: in 2015, guillotine on Nik Lentz at UFC Fight Night 67 (Performance and Fight of the Night), but TKO to Max Holloway at UFC Fight Night 74 due to an esophagus injury. He submitted Myles Jury with a guillotine at UFC on Fox 17, after another weight miss.
Rise and Unbreakable Records: Dominance in Lightweight
2016-2018: Rebuilding and Changes
In 2016, submissions to Anthony Pettis and Ricardo Lamas challenged him. In 2017, rear-naked choke on Will Brooks at UFC 210 (Performance of the Night), but TKO to Paul Felder at UFC 218. In 2018, Oliveira joined Chute Boxe Diego Lima to sharpen his striking. He submitted Clay Guida with a guillotine at UFC 225 (Performance), Christos Giagos with a rear-naked choke at UFC Fight Night 137 (12th submission, record), and Jim Miller with a rear-naked choke at UFC on Fox 31 (13th submission, seventh Performance bonus).
2019-2020: Sequence of Finishes
In 2019, anaconda choke on David Teymur at UFC Fight Night 144 (14th submission), TKO on Nik Lentz at UFC Fight Night 152, and KO on Jared Gordon at UFC Fight Night 164 (Performance). In 2020, guillotine on Kevin Lee at UFC Fight Night 170 (15th submission, tying finish record with 16), unanimous decision over Tony Ferguson at UFC 256, and withdrawal from a fight with Beneil Dariush.
Oliveira accumulated records: most submissions (16), most finishes (20), and most bonuses (20) in the UFC.
Conquest of the Lightweight Title: The Moment of Glory
UFC 262: The Historic TKO
In 2021, Oliveira won the vacant lightweight belt at UFC 262, with a TKO by punches on Michael Chandler (Performance of the Night, 17th finish). He defended against Dustin Poirier at UFC 269, with a rear-naked choke (Performance, 12th bonus of that type, record).
The Turbulent Night of UFC 274
In 2022, after missing weight (155.5 lb), Oliveira was stripped of the title before the fight, but submitted Justin Gaethje with a rear-naked choke at UFC 274 – third place in Fan Bonus.
Defenses and Challenges: Ups and Downs
Loss of the Title and Recovery
At UFC 280, Oliveira lost the vacant belt by arm-triangle choke to Islam Makhachev. In 2023, TKO on Beneil Dariush at UFC 289 (Performance, 20th finish). An injury sidelined him from the rematch with Makhachev at UFC 294.
In 2024, split decision to Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 300 and unanimous victory over Chandler at UFC 309 (Fight of the Night).
Iconic Fights: Moments That Defined a Career
The Legendary Submissions
Fights like the calf slicer on Wisely (2012), anaconda on Hioki (2014), and guillotine on Poirier (2021) entered history. The TKO on Chandler (2021) generated 300,000 PPV buys, while UFC 269 exceeded 500,000.
Records and Awards
Oliveira holds the most submissions (16), finishes (20), and bonuses (20) in the UFC. He won the ESPY for Best MMA Fighter in 2022, Submission of the Year in 2021-2022, and Fighter of the Year by Sherdog in 2021.
Personal Life and Social Legacy: Beyond the Octagon
Family and Faith
Married and father of three children, Oliveira resides in Guarujá, close to his childhood. A devout Christian, he underwent eye surgery in 2022 to correct myopia. A fan of harness racing, he won one in 2021, and has been a Corinthians ambassador since 2021.
The Charles do Bronx Institute
Founded in 2012, the ICBronxs offers free jiu-jitsu, education, and nutrition to favela youth. In 2025, he received the UFC Forrest Griffin Community Award for this transformative work.
In February 2023, Oliveira joined OnlyFans to share training. His nickname “Do Bronx” honors the favelas.
Recent Updates: 2024-2025, A Year of Intensity
Defeat at UFC 317 and Honors
In June 2025, Oliveira challenged for the vacant lightweight belt at UFC 317, but was knocked out by Ilia Topuria. Despite the loss, his performance was praised for its resilience. In the same year, the announcement of a biopic about his life, produced by Eduardo Ferro and filmed in Brazil and Las Vegas, excited fans. 405 Films will capture his journey from the favela to the top.
The Community Award and Reflections
The 2025 UFC Forrest Griffin Community Award recognized the impact of ICBronxs, which has already benefited hundreds of children. Oliveira reflected: “The belt is fleeting; the legacy is eternal.”
Tonight’s Fight: Oliveira vs. Gamrot
On this night of October 11, 2025, at the Farmasi Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Oliveira faces Mateusz Gamrot in the main event of UFC Fight Night. After Rafael Fiziev’s injury, Gamrot stepped in, promising a high-level clash. Oliveira, boosted by the Brazilian crowd’s support, aims for a knockout or submission – “It won’t go to decision,” he declared. A win could tie Mirko Cro Cop’s record for most finishes in the Zuffa era. The event, with prelims already underway, marks Oliveira’s return to his homeland, where he is welcomed as a hero.
In recent interviews, Oliveira commented on a possible super duel between Alex Pereira and Jon Jones in 2026: “Pereira can knock out Jones in the heavyweights.” His confidence reflects the fire that still burns.
The Future of Charles Oliveira: Open Horizon
At 35 years old, Oliveira remains ranked #4 in lightweight. With 35 wins, 11 losses, and 1 NC (23-11-1 in the UFC), he plans more title runs. His training at Chute Boxe continues intense, mixing aggressive Muay Thai with elite jiu-jitsu. Fans speculate about rematches with Tsarukyan or Makhachev, but Oliveira focuses on the present: “Every fight is a chance to inspire.”
Conclusion: An Eternal Icon
Charles Oliveira transcends MMA. From a boy with a weak heart in the favela to world champion and philanthropist, his story is a hymn to perseverance. With records that may last generations and a profound social legacy, “Do Bronx” proves that the greatest victories come from the humblest origins. As the octagon awaits him tonight, the world watches, inspired by this Brazilian warrior who never gives up.
