Charles "Do Bronx" Oliveira
When Khabib Nurmagomedov retired as lightweight champion in 2021, his title was left vacant, sparking widespread speculation about who would claim the belt. At the time, fans primarily focused on top contenders like Conor McGregor, Justin Gaethje, Dustin Poirier, Tony Ferguson, and Michael Chandler. Charles Oliveira was often overlooked in these discussions despite being ranked among the best. Although Oliveira had been in the UFC for over 11 years and was a respected veteran, early struggles led many to label him a quitter, doubting his ability to compete with the division's elite.
Growing up in a favela in Brazil, where gang violence and murder were daily realities, hardship was a constant for Charles. Many of his friends either lost their lives to gang violence or ended up in prison. Despite these challenges, his father always ensured Charles had enough to eat. One day, a neighbor whom Charles considered an uncle took him to a jiu-jitsu gym after noticing he couldn’t play soccer with the other kids. Understanding the difficulties his family faced, the uncle arranged for Charles to train there free of charge. Charles quickly excelled in jiu-jitsu, but after two years of training, tragedy struck when the uncle was killed in a shootout. He never lived to see Charles' success, despite the deep bond they shared.
"I've never starved, my father never allowed it. My father would say "I have already eaten." when he didn't" - Charles Oliveira
Not long after his neighbor's death, Charles transitioned to MMA, quickly finding success that led to him signing with the UFC at just 21 years old. Signing with the UFC was a dream come true for Charles, but his father warned him that getting there was the easy part—staying there was the real challenge. Though he began his UFC career with promise, his father’s warning soon proved true, as Charles faced a series of ups and downs. Along with common weight misses and illness, many fans began to doubt him. But the toughest challenge came during one of his fights when he suffered an injury and discovered he was unable to move—he had been paralyzed.
"I thought I was never going to be able to walk again." - Charles Oliveira
Fortunately for Charles, he was able to recover from his injury and make a comeback to the UFC, but his return was marked by another loss. At home in Brazil, as the government prepared for the Olympics, the police were encouraged to target anyone associated with gangs, leading to the deaths of many innocent people, with a staggering 1 in 23 deaths occurring per arrest. Amid this darkness, a light emerged—Charles became a father. The birth of his daughter gave him a newfound purpose; he understood he was now fighting to provide for his family. Determined, he began training three to five times a day, eventually racking up an 8-fight win streak and climbing the ranks. Despite his success, many still doubted his ability to compete with the top contenders, as his early performances had left questions about his place among the best. But in May 2021, during a fight against newly signed MMA veteran Michael Chandler, Charles struggled in the first round, even getting knocked down. However, he bounced back in the second round, finishing Chandler and finally claiming the lightweight championship.
"I told you I was going to be champion. I’ve been fighting for this my whole life. I was born in the favela, and now I’m here. I am the champion now, and I did it for my family, for my daughter, for Brazil." - Charles Oliveira
With Khabib having retired undefeated, his shadow still loomed over the lightweight division, and Charles Oliveira knew he had to prove he was the best, even without the chance to face Khabib. He did just that by defeating two of the division’s top fighters, Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje, cementing his place in history and solidifying his legacy as one of the greatest.
"Khabib is a great champion, he’s one of the best to ever do it, but I think every fighter has his time and his moment. I have mine now, and I’m going to prove that I’m the best." - Charles Oliveira
Unfortunately, Charles Oliveira would eventually lose his belt in 2022, but his journey from the favelas of Brazil to nearly being unable to walk again, to becoming UFC champion, is truly one to be admired. By continually proving his doubters wrong, he not only overcame immense challenges but also won over fans, transforming into one of the most popular stars in the UFC. His story is a testament to resilience and determination, inspiring countless people around the world.
With a tattoo of his daughter on his chest, Charles Oliveira carries something deeply personal and meaningful to fight for. Every time he steps into the octagon, he not only fights for his family but also carries the weight of an entire nation on his shoulders. As he continues his journey, his ultimate goal remains to reclaim the lightweight title and solidify his legacy as one of the greatest.
"The champion has a name, and his name is Charles Oliveira." - Charles Oliveira after defeating Justin Gaethje