Joe Rogan tried to figure out what triggered Charles Oliveira's transformation four years ago.
'Do Bronx' was always very good, but he faced 'quitter' claims after crumbling in several big fights.
Now, Charles Oliveira is a former lightweight champion and one of the most respected athletes on the UFC roster.
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
Oliveira put together an 11-fight win streak in the UFC from June 2018 to May 2022. And during that run, he handled situations that had previously exposed his weaknesses.
Rogan pointed out in September 2022 that Oliveira's shift coincided with becoming a dad in April 2017.
"The thing about Oliveira is that everybody looks at Oliveira at his lowest points," Rogan said on the JRE MMA Show.
"Cub Swanson knocked him out. Paul Felder smashed him. All these people beat him.
"Something happened when that dude had a kid. And there is a fire inside of them like the center of the sun. I don't know what it is, man, but he's a different human. He goes right into the line of fire. He's not taking any shortcuts, it's all risk.
"And he's 100 percent confident, it doesn't matter how hard you hit him, he's gonna be fine."
Since Joe Rogan commented on his transformation, Charles Oliveira has faced three defeats. Even with losses to Islam Makhachev, Arman Tsarukyan, and Ilia Topuria, he remains highly respected among MMA fans.
Oliveira is scheduled to take on Max Holloway for the BMF title at UFC 326 in Miami, Florida.
A win would be the perfect capstone to a journey that has seen him go from being called a 'quitter' to one of the most respected fighters in the sport.
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