Alex Oliveira (born February 21, 1988) is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist who competes in the Welterweight division.
He is best known for his tenure fighting in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
Born and raised in Três Rios, Rio de Janeiro, Oliveira worked for a time as a construction worker and bull rider before he starting training in martial arts.
Oliveira had three brothers – of whom two deceased due to violent crime – and four sisters.
He also trained in Muay Thai for a couple of years before switching to mixed martial arts at the age of 22.
2011
Fighting out of Três Rios, he made his professional debut competing in the welterweight division in December 2011.
He compiled a record of 11–2–1 (1), including a two-fight stint for Bitetti Combat while competing exclusively for regional promotions in his native Brazil.
2015
After taking a unanimous decision victory over Joilton Santos, Oliveira signed with the UFC in early 2015.
Oliveira made his promotional debut as a short notice replacement against Gilbert Burns on March 21, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 62, filling in for an injured Josh Thomson.
After arguably winning each of the first two rounds, Oliveira eventually lost via submission in the third round.
For his second fight in the UFC, Oliveira was again tabbed as short notice replacement and faced K.J. Noons on May 30, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 67, filling in for Yan Cabral.
Oliveira won the fight via submission in the first round.
Competing in his third UFC fight in just over three months, Oliveira faced promotional newcomer Joe Merritt on June 27, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 70.
Oliveira won the fight by unanimous decision.
Oliveira faced Piotr Hallmann in a lightweight bout on November 7, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 77.
He won the fight by knockout in the third round.
The win also earned Oliveira his first Performance of the Night bonus award.
2016
Oliveira fought Donald Cerrone on February 21, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 83, filling in for Tim Means.
Oliveira lost the fight via submission in the first round.
Oliveira faced James Moontasri on July 23, 2016, at UFC on Fox 20.
He won the one-sided fight via unanimous decision.
Oliveira next faced Will Brooks in a lightweight bout on October 1, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 96.
The bout took place at a catchweight of 161.5 lbs, as Oliveira missed weight.
Oliveira won the fight via KO in the third round.
Oliveira faced Tim Means on December 30, 2016, at UFC 207.
The bout was halted in the first round after Means landed several knees to the head of Oliveira while he was considered a grounded opponent.
As a result, Oliveira was unable to continue after the foul occurred.
Subsequently, referee Dan Miragliotta judged that the foul was accidental, and in turn, the result was scored a No Contest.
2017
A rematch with Means eventually took place on March 11, 2017, at UFC Fight Night 106.
Oliveira won the bout via submission in the second round.
Oliveira faced Ryan LaFlare on July 22, 2017, at UFC on Fox 25.
He won the fight via knockout in the second round, after landing a well timed right uppercut.
He was awarded his second Performance of the Night bonus award.
Oliveira faced Yancy Medeiros on December 2, 2017, at UFC 218.
He lost the back-and-forth fight via TKO in the third round.
Despite the loss, Oliveira earned his first Fight of the Night bonus award for the fight.
2018
Oliveira defeated Carlos Condit on April 14, 2018, at UFC on Fox 29, after replacing injured Matt Brown.
He won the fight via a guillotine choke.
This fight earned him the Performance of the Night bonus award.
Oliveira was expected to face Neil Magny on September 22, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 137.
