Former UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira is dead set on breaking UFC records. Oliveira currently holds the UFC records for finishes (19), submissions (16), and post-fight bonuses (19).
During an interview with Canal Encarada on June 18, "Do Bronx" discussed the lengths to which his UFC ambitions extend:
"I said this week that Dana White has to get me in the [UFC] Hall of Fame before I retire. That would be amazing.
"But I truly want to keep making things happen. I want to keep breaking records, keep making history. Making my family and friends happy which is what matters most."
The UFC Hall of Fame (HOF) "is a celebration of the pioneer, the trailblazer, the innovator and the visionary. It is a celebration of the DNA of UFC and mixed martial arts." Oliveira won't be eligible for the HOF until he's aged 35 or older, according to the HOF FAQ, but his achievements speak for themselves.
If he does get inducted, he would be included in the 'Pioneer' category, which inducts fighters who "made their professional MMA debut" before November 17, 2000. The reason for this date is because UFC 28 on Nov 17 2000 was the first event to use the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts. Oliveira debuted in 2008.
As a former champion with multiple records under his belt, and at just 33 years-of-age, it's hard to imagine Oliveira not being granted the honor by the time he's retired.
To some MMA pundits, Oliveira was only one win away from being the greatest lightweight of all time. In a 2022 YouTube video, Michael Bisping went on record saying Oliveira could be the lightweight GOAT if he beats Islam Makhachev at UFC 280:
"Greatest lightweight of all time? I think if Charles beats Islam this weekend, I think that belongs to Charles now. I really do"
If Oliveira retires as a former champion, with the most finishes, most submissions and most post-fight bonuses, it's very hard to argue against his HOF induction.
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