Charles Oliveira has had an incredible career in the UFC so far, but it all started with a busy night for the Brazilian.
The former UFC Lightweight champion is a favorite among MMA fans. Charles Oliveira’s TKO win over Michael Chandler in 2021 saw him become world champion, but it is his incredible submission wins that most know him for.
Oliveira will battle Ilia Topuria at UFC 317, with the chance to become a two-time champion a distinct possibility for the Brazilian.
He has come a long way since his debut in MMA, where a young Oliveira had to win three fights in one night to secure his first professional title.
Charles Oliveira won a one-night tournament to start his MMA career with three big wins
Oliveira started his MMA career in 2008 when he turned professional to compete in the PCF Welterweight Grand Prix tournament.
He fought in Sao Paulo at Predador FC 9, which included a one-night tournament featuring a host of Brazilian fighters.
Eight fighters competed in a knockout competition, including former UFC fighter Viscardi Andrade.
Oliveira had never competed professionally before, but managed to go all the way by winning three fights in one night during this event in Brazil.
His fights didn’t take long. The first bout against Jackson Pontes ended in a first-round submission, when Oliveira locked in a rear-naked choke to force Pontes to tap out.
The second fight was against Andrade, who put up a stronger fight. However, Oliveira managed to win the bout via TKO in the second round, after a succession of hammer fists to Andrade’s skull forced the fight to end prematurely.
He moved on to a clash with Diego Braga in the final of the PFC Welterweight Grand Prix Tournament.
Over 2000 people were in attendance for the competition, with the final pitting the future UFC Lightweight champion against his fellow Brazilian, Braga.
Oliveira managed another first-round victory thanks to another referee stoppage, thanks to his barrage of punches. He mounted Braga before laying into him with his fists before the fight was called.
While he won three fights in one night, Oliveira kept his time in the octagon low. He spent a combined total time of just 10 minutes and 28 seconds fighting, barely more than two rounds of a title fight in the UFC.
He kicked off his MMA career with a submission victory, something he would later make his specialty in the UFC.
Charles Oliveira can equal Jim Miller’s record with a victory at UFC 317
Oliveira’s submission win in his MMA debut was a sign of things to come, as he used his technical expertise to take out some of his toughest tests in the UFC.
The Brazilian mixed martial artist has won ten of his fights in the UFC Lightweight division, the first coming in Oliveira’s debut for the promotion in 2010 against Darren Elkins.
However, Jim Miller has one more submission victory in the Lightweight division and holds the record with eleven wins by that measure.
| Opponent | Event | Date |
| Justin Gaethje | UFC 274 | May 7, 2022 |
| Dustin Poirier | UFC 269 | December 11, 2021 |
| David Teymur | UFC Fight Night: Assunção vs. Moraes 2 | February 2, 2019 |
| Jim Miller | UFC on Fox: Lee vs. Iaquinta 2 | December 15, 2018 |
| Christos Giagos | UFC Fight Night: Santos vs. Anders | September 22, 2018 |
| Clay Guido | UFC 225 | June 9, 2017 |
| Will Brooks | UFC 210 | April 8, 2017 |
| Myles Jury | UFC on Fox: dos Anjos vs. Cowboy 2 | December 19, 2015 |
| Efrain Escudero | UFC Fight Night: Marquardt vs Palhares | September 15, 2010 |
| Darren Elkins | UFC Live: Jones vs Matyushenko | August 1, 2010 |
If Oliveira wants to break Miller’s record, he’ll need to force an undefeated former champion to tap out in his next fight in the main event of UFC 317.
It will be a tough test for the Brazilian, but after winning three fights in one night, one tough fight with Topuria doesn’t seem too daunting.