On December 2, 2017, Charles Oliveira faced Paul Felder at UFC 218 inside Detroit’s Little Caesars Arena. Although Oliveira, known as ‘Do Bronx,’ began strongly with submission threats, Felder quickly turned the tide by landing a damaging strike that cut Oliveira. The match moved to the ground, where Felder unleashed a barrage of elbows to Oliveira’s face. Despite clearly struggling with the blows and starting to tap, the referee failed to stop the fight, allowing Felder to secure a TKO victory.

Oliveira’s Rise and Remarkable Progress Since the Loss

Following that setback, Oliveira transformed his career, steadily advancing to become one of the most feared lightweight contenders in UFC history. His evolution included sharpening his Brazilian jiu-jitsu skills and developing formidable striking power. By the time he reached the sport’s peak, Oliveira had taken on some of the toughest hitters in the division.

Oliveira’s Unexpected Take on the Hardest Puncher He’s Faced

Despite battling many powerful strikers, when asked about the hardest hitter he encountered, Oliveira named a surprising opponent rather than one of the expected stars. His insight sheds light on his experience inside the octagon and the challenges he’s overcome on his journey toward title contention.

Oliveira’s upcoming fight against Ilia Topuria at UFC 317 marks the next significant step in his career, as he looks to capture the lightweight championship. This bout offers a chance to further solidify the progress he has made since his early losses and showcase why he is regarded as a true champion in the making.