The former UFC Lightweight Champion, Charles Oliveira, is one of the most incredible fighters in this division. He has amazing knowledge of grappling and striking, which is why he is so dominant in this weight class. “Do Bronxs” was on an 11 fight winning streak from 2018 to May 2022. When Oliveira managed to claim the UFC gold, he etched his name as one of the greatest and best finishers of all time.
10) Vs. Jim Miller (December 15, 2018)
Charles Oliveira faced Jim Miller for the first time in 2010 at UFC 124, where he was defeated by submission. It seems Charles remembered this loss for a long time and wanted to avenge it. The two fighters faced each other at UFC on Fox: Lee vs. Iaquinta 2 after years and Oliveira successfully took his revenge by impressively submitting Miller via rear-naked choke in just one minute and 15 seconds, proving himself as one of the best grapplers in the sport.
9) Vs. Nik Lentz (May 30, 2015)
During 2015, Oliveira was considered a decent grappler, with his striking abilities still in development. Many times, he also found himself on the wrong end of the score for missing weight in the featherweight division. Charles displayed great striking skills at UFC Fight Night: Condit vs. Alves when he faced Nik Lentz. He made his opponent submit via guillotine choke in the third round of the match.
8) Vs. Kevin Lee (March 14, 2020)
Oliveira fought Kevin Lee at UFC Fight Night: Lee Vs. Oliveira. Lee was a tough opponent for the Brazilian fighter, as he was a fighter who had fought at featherweight for a while, so it was tough to compete with someone who couldn’t make weight and was a former welterweight. Additionally, “The Motown Phenom” was coming off a dominating knockout of Gregor Gillespie and was bound to make a run at lightweight. The fight was being held for the first time without fans due to the COVID pandemic. Lee looked dominant throughout the bout until he was caught by the submission specialist and tapped to the guillotine choke.
7) Vs. Clay Guida (June 9, 2018)
Clay Guida is one of the toughest MMA fighters and is known for never backing down from a battle. He is an amazing wrestler and a former Strikeforce champion. When the two fighters faced each other at UFC 255, Oliviera gave an amazing performance, making “The Carpenter” submit to a guillotine choke in the first round of the bout, earning another impressive finish and beginning his win streak in the promotion.
6) Vs. Darren Elkins (August 1, 2010)
Oliveira has faced some of the toughest fighters throughout his MMA career. In his UFC debut fight at UFC Live: Jones vs. Matyushenko, Charles got Darren Elkins as his opponent. Every fighter wants to make a strong impression in their debut and Oliveira did this greatly by defeating Elkins through a triangle choke submission.
5) Vs. Eric Wisely (January 28, 2012)
The Brazilian faced Wisely at the UFC on Fox: Evans vs. Davis. Charles amazed everyone with his performance that day and gave his opponent a submission move that is rarely used in the UFC. Within the very first round of the fight, Oliveira wrapped up the heel hook, but when Wisely began to slide out, he changed it by hooking his leg in the bend of his opponent’s knee and pulling him. Oliveira won this match by the Calf Slicer submission.
4) Vs. David Teymur (February 2, 2019)
When Oliveira faced David Teymur at UFC Fight Night 144, he demonstrated his developing striking. Teymur is a kickboxing specialist and caught Oliveira and dropped him in the first round, but the Brazilian managed to get back up. After this, Oliveria came close to the Swedish fighter and stunned him with a crazy elbow. He followed this up with a beautiful combination that brought Teymur to his feet before delivering another guillotine wrap to finish him off.
3) Vs. Dustin Poirier (May 15, 2021)
Oliveira fought Dustin Poirier for his first title defense at UFC 269. Poirier was the clear favorite in this bout at the time and everyone expected him to run through “Do Bronxs” and finish him off. “The Diamond” was even the betting favorite in the fight. After a back-and-forth first round where they both landed strikes on each other, Oliveira took control, dominated on top in the second round and then turned the pace. He finished Poirier with a rear-naked choke.
2) Vs. Tony Ferguson (December 12, 2020)
When Oliveira faced Tony Ferguson at UFC 256, “El Cucuy” was coming off his first loss to Justin Gaethje after a 12-fight winning streak for 7 years. MMA fans thought that Ferguson was going to dominate his next opponent in an extreme way to prove that he was still the best. Oliveira displayed great grappling skills against Ferguson and eventually won the fight via decision, suppressing any opportunities Ferguson had.
1) Vs. Michael Chandler (May 15, 2021)
Oliveira faced Michael Chandler at UFC 262 for the vacant lightweight championship. This was definitely Oliveira’s best and most impressive fight of his career till now. In the second round of the bout, he landed a punch so good that it secured him a TKO victory over one of the best MMA fighters, Chandler and helped him capture the Lightweight title.
