When fans see the name ‘Oliveira’ on a UFC card, they can’t help but wonder, is there a connection? After all, Charles ‘Do Bronx’ Oliveira has become one of Brazil’s greatest exports, a former UFC lightweight champion with a flair for dramatic finishes. Now, another Oliveira, Saimon Oliveira, is making waves on the upcoming UFC Rio card, set for October 11 at the Farmasi Arena.

He’ll take on Luan Lacerda in a bantamweight clash in an event that marks the UFC’s 13th visit to Rio de Janeiro and the city’s first ‘Fight Night’ since 2015. So naturally, the question arises: are these two warriors from the same bloodline? Let’s find out!

Are Saimon & Charles Oliveira related?

The short answer is no. Saimon Oliveira is not related to Charles Oliveira. The confusion is understandable; Brazil has a deep pool of fighters who share surnames, but few share the same story. Saimon competes in the bantamweight division, while Charles has long ruled the lightweight class. Beyond that, there’s no evidence of family ties. Their shared name is purely coincidental.

But interestingly, the two will share a stage at UFC Rio. For Saimon, this is no small milestone. Fighting in his home country, in a city steeped in UFC history, is both an honor and a test. He’s currently on a 3-fight losing streak after he made his way to the Octagon through Dana White’s Contender Series in 2021.

Since then, tough losses to Tony Gravely, Daniel Marcos, and David Martinez have halted his momentum, and this fight against Luan Lacerda could be his last opportunity to snap the skid and re-establish himself in the bantamweight division. And Saimon seems determined to make this count as we now shift our focus over to learn more about his journey so far!

More about Saimon Oliveira’s early life & background

Born on April 21, 1991, Saimon de Oliveira Vieira didn’t have an easy path. There were no silver spoons or shortcuts, just a young man with dreams that outgrew his surroundings. Long before he traded punches in the Octagon, Saimon was a butcher by trade. “I worked as a butcher,” he recalled in his UFC.com Q&A, adding that he began training at 14 “because I wanted to be a bad a**.”

It was that spark that fueled him. He joined Astra Fight Team, and soon, he started stacking accolades, including the Aspera FC championship, one of Brazil’s most respected regional titles. His amateur resume wasn’t modest either, boasting several Muay Thai titles before he transitioned full-time to MMA. As per his UFC.com Q&A, Saimon called himself a Muay Thai master but stated he finds joy in “all chokes,” blending the art of striking and grappling with equal passion.

His fighting style reflects his personality: direct, durable, and unpredictable. When asked what it means to compete in the UFC, he didn’t mince words as he confessed, “It means everything. That’s what I have been dreaming about my entire life since I started fighting.”

So no, Saimon Oliveira isn’t related to Charles Oliveira. But maybe the better question is, does it even matter? Both men represent the unbreakable spirit of Brazilian MMA, rising from humble beginnings to stand beneath the bright lights of the Octagon. Charles Oliveira may have shown the world how a boy from the favelas could rise to championship gold. Now, Saimon Oliveira is carving his own path, one step and one fight at a time!