Charles Oliveira record and biography: stats, UFC records, career timeline, fighting style

Quick bio & fact box

This is the definitive Charles Oliveira record snapshot—updated with official leaderboards and career stats from UFC.

Records & accolades (why Oliveira is a historic finisher)

If you’re searching for Charles Oliveira record because you’ve heard he’s the UFC’s submission king, you’re right—and the numbers are official. The UFC’s Record Book lists Oliveira #1 all-time for finishes (20) and submission wins (16), and #1 for Fight Night bonuses (20). He’s also tied near the top for total UFC wins, with 23 on the leaderboard—testament to both longevity and danger.

Those submission wins aren’t just rear-nakeds. Oliveira’s UFC bio catalogs a rare spread: anaconda, triangle, calf slicer, armbar, triangle-armbar, and multiple guillotines—a front-headlock toolbox that punishes sloppy shots and mid-scramble mistakes.

Career timeline (highlights that shape the Charles Oliveira record)

Below is a concise timeline of fight history and UFC stats —ideal for readers who want the context behind the Charles Oliveira record:

  • 2010–2018: Early career is a mix of spectacular submissions and hard lessons at featherweight/lightweight. BJJ creativity already obvious: calf slicer (2012) and multiple guillotine/triangle wins punctuate the rise.
  • 2019–2021: Finishing machine. A win streak puts him into a vacant-title shot; he stops Michael Chandler at UFC 262 (2021) to claim the lightweight belt (noted on ESPN/UFC bios).
  • 2022: Title setback vs Islam Makhachev at UFC 280 (submission). Oliveira remains a top-two threat in the division.
  • 2023–early 2024: Returns to form; later faces Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 300 (Apr 13, 2024), dropping a split decision.
  • Nov 16, 2024: Beats Michael Chandler by unanimous decision in a five-round rematch (per ESPN’s ledger).
  • Jun 28, 2025: Faces Ilia Topuria at UFC 317; loses by KO/TKO (R1 2:27). The defeat doesn’t change his official all-time marks: Charles Oliveira record still leads the UFC in finishes and submissions.
  • Oct 11, 2025: Will be facing Gamrot in UFC Fight Night RIO.

Style & tactics (how he gets those finishes)

Striking to threaten entries. Oliveira’s escalation often starts on the feet: long rear-hand straights, stabbing knees and teeps to frame the center. He welcomes chaos, which creates the reaction he wants—panic shots and sloppy exits.

Front-headlock doctrine. The heart of the Charles Oliveira record is front-choke acumen. He snares the neck on level changes, chaining guillotine→anaconda→back take. When opponents turtle to escape, he rides the hips for RNC opportunities.

Guard as a weapon, not a stall. Unlike many elite grapplers, Oliveira attacks actively from bottom—overhooks, triangles, and hip angles that punish anyone sitting in guard too long.

Pressure with opportunism. He’ll walk you down, but the goal isn’t volume—it’s to force a decisive mistake. That’s why his average submission rate per 15 minutes sits at elite levels on ESPN, and why small windows against him become fight-ending sequences.

Notable fights that define the Charles Oliveira record

  • vs Michael Chandler (UFC 262, 2021): Championship breakthrough—survives a near finish, flips momentum, earns the belt by TKO. Sets the modern narrative for Oliveira’s resilience and kill-switch.
  • vs Dustin Poirier (UFC 269, 2021): Club-and-sub blueprint at its finest—pressure striking into opportunistic grappling.
  • vs Beneil Dariush (UFC 289, 2023): First-round TKO that re-asserted top-contender status.
  • vs Arman Tsarukyan (UFC 300, 2024): Razor-thin split decision loss; still showed submission danger in scrambles.
  • vs Ilia Topuria (UFC 317, 2025): Early KO defeat—reminder that Oliveira’s willingness to press can be double-edged—but his all-time UFC marks remained intact.

The state of play (what the numbers say right now)

If you want the TL;DR on Charles Oliveira record today:

  • UFC finishes: 20 (all-time #1).
  • UFC submission wins: 16 (all-time #1).
  • UFC Fight Night bonuses: 20 (all-time #1).
  • UFC wins (leaderboard): 23.
  • Pro record: 35-11 (1 NC) with a deep, diverse finish portfolio.

Those are official leaderboard figures (last update indicated on the UFC Stat Leaders page at the time of writing this article).

FAQ — Charles Oliveira record

What is Charles Oliveira’s UFC record for submissions?
He holds the all-time UFC record with 16 submission wins.

How many UFC finishes does he have?
20 finishes (all-time #1 in UFC history).

What is Charles Oliveira’s reach and stance?
74″ reach; orthodox stance; team Chute Boxe.

What is Charles Oliveira’s current pro record?
35-11 (1 NC), per UFC Stats.

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