Charles Oliveira's record features more UFC submission victories than any fighter in history. The Brazilian from Guaruja, Sao Paulo, bounced around the card for years before transforming into one of the most dangerous champions the lightweight division has ever seen.
He won the UFC Lightweight Championship at UFC 262 by stopping Michael Chandler, then defended it against Justin Gaethje and Dustin Poirier. He lost the title to Islam Makhachev at UFC 280, then fell to Ilia Topuria at UFC 317 in June 2025 when Topuria moved up from featherweight and stopped him to claim two-division gold.
Oliveira is the cautionary example against writing anyone off. For years, critics pointed to a weak chin and inconsistency. Then he became a legend. His finishing rate in the UFC remains the most impressive in lightweight history.
- Most UFC submission victories in history (21+)
- Former UFC Lightweight Champion
- 10-fight finish streak before winning the title
- Submitted Tony Ferguson, Dustin Poirier, and Justin Gaethje in title-related fights
- 18+ years of professional MMA career
- 01Rear-naked choke from back mount
- 02Triangle choke from guard
- 03Guillotine choke off takedown attempts
- 04D'Arce choke from top position
- 05Standing guillotine in the clinch
Oliveira is the comeback story. He was losing fights in 2015 and by 2022 he's the most dangerous man at lightweight. The lesson for your kids: keep working, trust your best quality. For Charles, that was his jiu-jitsu.