Charles “do Bronx” Oliveira: The Heart-Rending Story Behind Charles Oliveira’s Nickname “Do Bronx”

Charles Oliveira has taken the UFC by storm ever since his arrival. The Brazilian MMA fighter joined the biggest MMA promotion in 2010 and has climbed the stairs to rule the UFC lightweight division. He holds numerous records in the sport and has become one of the toughest lightweights in the world.

Fans love an underdog story. Especially the ones that end up with money, success, and fame. Charles Oliveira is one of those underdogs who established himself as the guy to beat with his explosive skill set.

He defeated many top lightweights, such as Michael Chandler, Tony Ferguson, and Dustin Poirier among others. And defeated them convincingly.

Why do they call him Charles ‘Do Bronx’ Oliveira?

The Brazilian superstar has a large fan following across the globe. He proved his detractors wrong at every step of his career and overcame all difficulties to become who he is. Oliveira has a unique nickname. He calls himself Charles ‘Do Bronx’ Oliveira, and many wonder what it actually means or refers to?

The roots of this name lie in the humble beginnings of the 32-year-old fighter. He grew up in the favela, or slums of Vicente de Carvalho in Guaruja, Brazil. He was born in 1989 in a poor family. Oliveira had a difficult childhood and his family found it hard to fulfill their basic needs.

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‘Do Bronx’ started working at an early age, helping his mother sell cheese salads in order to earn a living. MMA helped him turn his fortunes around, and he has made sure he gives it back to the community.

What is the meaning of ‘Do Bronx’?

‘Do Bronx’ literally translates to “from the Bronx”. The Bronx is sometimes used as slang for poorer areas or slums, and Oliveira was identified as someone from the Bronx in his early MMA days.

However, Oliveira isn’t ashamed of his background, and this is where he got the name “Do Bronx” from. In fact, he has brought his hometown to the world’s map.

The UFC champion explained the story behind the name during a podcast.

“Because I’m from the favela, it’s where I’m from. In Guaruja. Bronx because of the USA borough, and because when we were going to fight Jiu-Jitsu, some guys would say ‘Look at these guys from Bronx’. Why? 

Because we were a bunch of crazy guys arriving with the kimono on our backs. So they would say we were from Bronx. My first MMA event was full of big names. Lots of big names and then Charles Oliveira. 

A guy came to me and said, ‘You’re the lightest, it’s your first fight and you’re going in with just Charles Oliveira? Put something in it.’ The guy at my side said ‘You’re from the favela, right? Put Do Bronx in it,’ and I agreed.”

Ever since Oliveira has stuck with the name and represented his favela with pride.

How did Charles Oliveira become the UFC Lightweight champion?

Charles ‘Do Bronx’ Oliveira turned professional in 2008, at the age of 19. He instantly established himself as a problem for the hierarchy by defeating Jackson Pontes and Viscardi Andrade in his first two fights. He extended the winning streak to 14 fights.

Despite a few bumps and losses in between, Oliveira kept rising through the ranks. He continued to work hard and stayed humble in wins and losses.

The Brazilian fighter finally got his opportunity to capture UFC gold when Khabib Nurmagomedov retired from the sport. As a result, the UFC lightweight belt became vacant, and the promotion pitted him against Michael Chandler for the title.

Oliveira defeated the three-time Bellator champion in the second round and became the undisputed UFC lightweight champion.

He credits his career to his neighbor’s father, Paulo, as the one who introduced Charles and his brother Hermison to MMA. Paulo not only introduced them to Jiu-Jitsu but also worked out a scholarship deal for the brothers.

Oliveira said in an interview, “He had become part of our family, for his heart, for the respect with my parents, for the affection he had for me and my brother.”

Unfortunately, Paulo couldn’t witness the success and fame Oliveira had accumulated as he passed away a couple of years later.

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However, his actions have indeed reaped results as Charles Oliveira continues to dominate the division and decimate his opponents. His brother, Hermison Oliveira, is also a professional MMA fighter and might make his way to the UFC in the future.