The former UFC Lightweight Champion, Charles Oliveira da Silva, is a 3rd-degree black belt Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner.

Hailing from Brazil, Oliveira’s martial arts journey started with Brazilian Ju-Jitsu during his youth, earning numerous championship titles.

He transitioned to MMA, where he continues to compete in the Lightweight division within the UFC in 2007.

Out of several notable achievements, Oliveira holds the most submission wins in the organization’s history at 16. Similarly, he also holds the record for the most finishes at 20.

As of this writing, he ranks at No. 1 in UFC lightweight rankings and holds the position of No. 8 in the UFC men’s pound-for-pound rankings.

Quick Facts

Early Life

Born in the favela of Vincent de Carvalho in Guaruja, Sao Paulo, Brazil, on 17 October 1989, Charles Oliveira da Silva had to face numerous challenges growing up.

Not much is known about his parents and his origin. However, it is known that his mother is Ozana Oliveira, and he grew up with his only sibling, Hermison Oliveira.

Charles initially aspired to be a soccer player, but at age 7, he was diagnosed with rheumatic fever and a heart murmur which created difficulty for Charles in walking and sometimes lost mobility in his legs.

Doctors even warned that he could become paraplegic, a condition relating to paralysis of the legs and lower body.

Nevertheless, these setbacks fueled Oliveira’s desire to become successful. His parents also insisted on involving him in sports programs, and just after two years, he began to recover.

At 12, a neighbor named Paulo introduced Charles to Brazilian Ju-Jitsu, and soon after, he began training under Roger Coelho.

Unfortunately, Paulo died in a crossfire shootout in Vicente de Carvalho when Charles was 14.

Despite their unwavering spirit to enroll their son in a sports program, their financial instability took a toll on his parents. Nevertheless, the BJJ gym’s coach offered Charles free training through a social program.