The UFC career of Charles Oliveira is full of huge ups and some emotional downs, but his star force is not to be denied.
The coming Saturday, Charles Oliveira will return to the Octagon when he takes on Ilia Topuria in the UFC 317 Main Event for the empty lightweight title.
It was recently revealed that colleague-light weight competitor Arman Tsarukyan will weigh as the backup for the main event, making him a shot against the winner.
In anticipation of their collision, he radiates confidence on typical Topuria -fashion and predicts that he 'will let the chin of Oliveira explode', hoping to continue his turnout as one of the biggest stars in the sport.
'Do Bronx' hopes to return to the form that he has dismantled UFC lightweight Boogeyman Tony Ferguson and his Masterclass version against Michael Chandler.
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
Oliveira became the first hunter ever to earn $ 1 million from UFC bonuses
During his career, Oliveira worked tirelessly to reverse his reputation, because the Brazilian was labeled a 'quitter' at the start of his career, especially after his first loss of the main event for Max Holloway.
His fortune started to turn around in 2018 when he scored an impressive entry from the first round about UFC legend Clay Guida, and earned a bonus in the process.
The Brazilian then went on a legendary 11-Fight win-streak and took eight bonuses after the fight, which contributed to his star power.
Last November at UFC 309, the Brazilian 'Iron' Mike removed after winning their first meeting at UFC 262 in 2021 to become the new lightweight champion.
Oliveira set up an incredible version, dominated Chandler in five rounds and took the unanimous decision victory.
And not only his second victory over Chandler earned him another shot at the title, he got another bonus after the fight that made him the first hunter ever to earn more than $ 1 million in bonuses after the fight.
Charles Oliveira is the first and only hunter in the UFC history that has earned more than $ 1 million in UFC performance bonuses 💰
One of the most exciting MMA hunters in the world 🔥 #ufc317 pic.twitter.com/ubp4D7TLXF
– ESPN MMA (@ESSPNMMA) 22 June 2025
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Oliveira can make UFC history with a victory over UFC 317
Oliveira could not only become one of the biggest stars in sport again with a victory on the Spaniard, but he could separate himself from the rest of the lightweight champions in history.
Islam Makhachev is generally considered the greatest lightweight of all time, above Khabib Nurmagomedov, due to the fact that he has the most defending defense in the history of the division.
The 35-year-old Brazilian, however, could be the first UFC hunter in a lightweight history that becomes double 155 pounds if he beats Topuria on UFC 317.