Charles Oliveira took years and years to turn his UFC career around and to change the fans’ opinions of him.
At UFC 317 on June 28, Charles Oliveira looks to make UFC history by becoming the first fighter ever to become a two-time lightweight champion when he takes on Ilia Topuria for the vacant title.
Ahead of their huge clash, Topuria has made a huge change to his fight camp as he has split with his longtime coaches, the Climent brothers.
Despite ‘El Matador’ being one of the hardest punchers in the UFC, ‘Do Bronx’ has confidently predicted that he will finish the Spaniard in a history-making performance.
Throughout his long UFC tenure, the Brazilian has had to fight hard to change fans’ opinions of him, as he was once labeled a ‘quitter’ after forfeiting his first-ever UFC main event against Max Holloway.
Charles Oliveira’s first-ever UFC main event ended in disaster
In his UFC debut in 2010, Oliveira survived a huge slam to go on and score a submission win over Darren Elkins, showing glimpses of his championship mentality.
He then went on to score another submission win just one month later, which made UFC icon Joe Rogan take notice of his talent and potential.
However, it was 11 fights later when ‘Do Bronx’ was finally afforded his first UFC main event fight when he was matched up against Max Holloway at UFC Fight Night, Saskatoon.
After a few disappointing losses against the likes of Frankie Edgar, Cub Swanson, and Donald Cerrone, it seemed unlikely that Oliveira would ever go on to become a UFC champion.
Oliveira’s reputation then took a huge hit during his fight against Holloway. Just minutes into the fight, the Brazilian attempted a takedown on Holloway but it was stuffed and Holloway quickly disengaged and made it back up to his feet.
Oliveira gingerly made it back to his feet and immediately put his back against the cage and held his chest as he turned away from ‘Blessed’. Herb Dean quickly ran in and called the fight off after Oliveira seemingly suffered an injury.
Despite seemingly suffering a serious neck injury, Oliveira was released from Saskatoon hospital the following day and tested negative for major chest, neck, and/or throat injuries. It was later confirmed that he suffered a minor neck injury which didn’t require surgery.
Once news came out that Oliveira’s injury wasn’t serious, he was labeled as a ‘quitter’ by a large majority of the UFC fanbase.
Oliveira turned his reputation around and made UFC rival eat his words
From that point on, the Brazilian attempted to turn his reputation around but struggled initially as he continued to struggle to gain any momentum.
Then an eight-fight win streak saw Oliveira granted a vacant lightweight title fight against Michael Chandler in 2021, which he went on to win.
A few fights later, he was matched up against Justin Gaethje, who in the lead up to their fight touched on Oliveira’s reputation as a ‘quitter’.
The Brazilian made ‘The Highlight’ eat his words after coming back from behind during their fight to score a first round submission win.