Former UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira will be looking to regain his title in Abu Dhabi on October 22 when he faces Islam Makhachev during the highly anticipated UFC 280 Oliveira vs. Makhachev during Abu Dhabi Showdown Week. Ahead of the bout, here are some facts you should know about the fighter nicknamed ‘Do Bronx’.
Early challenges
Initially, Oliveira wanted to be a professional footballer, but at the age of seven he fell seriously ill. He suffered from body pains, faced difficulty in walking, and at times was unable to move his legs at all. He was diagnosed with a heart murmur and rheumatic fever, which affected his ability to walk. These issues meant there were real concerns he could become paraplegic. Despite the challenges, Oliveira took up Brazilian jiu-jitsu, which paved his way into the world of MMA.
The beginning
At the age of 12, Oliveira was introduced to Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ). Since Oliveira came from a low-income household, his BJJ coach offered him free classes as part of a school programme. The future lightweight champion and his family sold snacks and waste cardboard on the streets to raise money to purchase the necessary equipment. He began his training in 2001 and won his first major title as a white belt in 2003. Oliveira earned his black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu in 2010.
Brazilian jiu-jitsu to UFC
In December 2008, Oliveira had his debut lightweight fight against UFC’s Mehdi Baghdad and came out victorious. Over the following months, Oliveira won several other fights and in January 2010 he was named as the third-best Brazilian prospect to watch. In his first official UFC fight, he defeated Darren Elkins via submission in 45 seconds in the first round and was awarded the ‘Submission of the Night’ award.
Record breaker
Oliveira’s accomplishments speak for themselves. He holds numerous records, including the most submission finishes in UFC history. He sits at the top of the rankings with a total of 16 submissions – the next closest contender has just 11. Oliveira also holds the record for most finishes in UFC history. As of today, Oliveira is ranked No.1 in the UFC lightweight category and sits at No.3 in the UFC men’s pound-for-pound rankings.
Giving back
Seen as one of the most down-to-earth fighters in the sport, Oliveira has always stayed true to his roots. Following a victory against Tony Ferguson during UFC 256: Figueiredo vs. Moreno, the fighter confirmed that he is a champion outside the ring as well. Oliveira donated large amounts of non-perishable food to the community of Prainha in Guarujá, Brazil – the city in which he wass born. Oliveira also runs a social project of his own. Dedicated to the children in Guarujá, he launched a programme to keep them away from a life of crime and encourages them to join the gym to learn combat sport.
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