Las Vegas – UFC® announced today that former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira has been named the 2025 recipient of the prestigious Forrest Griffin Community Award, recognizing his exceptional charity work and positive impact on the community.
The Forrest Griffin Community Award, named after UFC Hall of Famer Forrest Griffin, honors a UFC athlete each year for their outstanding volunteer efforts. Personally selected by UFC President and CEO Dana White, the award is part of the UFC Honors President’s Choice category. As the 2025 recipient, Oliveira will receive a $25,000 donation to the charity of his choice, courtesy of the UFC Foundation.
Oliveira will be officially honored during the 2025 UFC Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, scheduled for Thursday, June 26 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, as part of the 13th Annual UFC International Fight Week. The ceremony will stream live exclusively on UFC FIGHT PASS®.
“Charles is not only a great athlete, but he’s also an amazing role model who enjoys giving back to the community,” said Dana White. “Charles does a great job of helping local youth in São Paulo by providing them with free education and jiu-jitsu training at his institute, and he’s directly helping them create a better life for themselves in the process. It’s an honor to present him with this award.”
Founded in 2012, Oliveira’s social project, the Charles do Bronxs Institute (ICBronxs), operates within the Vicente de Carvalho District of Guarujá, São Paulo. The institute offers free education, arts, nutrition, and jiu-jitsu training to hundreds of underprivileged youth, giving them tools to build a better future. Oliveira’s passion for this cause comes from personal experience—at 12 years old, he found refuge and opportunity through a similar social project that introduced him to Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Only two months after beginning his training, Oliveira became a champion in his division, setting the stage for a remarkable career.
Officially recognized as an Institute in 2022, ICBronxs expanded further with a new training facility opening in 2023. To date, more than 150 students have graduated from Oliveira’s programs, achieving success in jiu-jitsu, MMA, and beyond, including initiatives like sign language education and other community-driven efforts.
Beyond Brazil, Oliveira extends his influence internationally, participating in UFC youth mentoring programs, teaching jiu-jitsu, and inspiring underprivileged youth around the world alongside fellow MMA athletes.
Currently ranked No. 2 in the UFC lightweight division, Oliveira boasts an impressive record of 35-10-1 (23-10-1 UFC) over 46 professional fights. Before transitioning to MMA, he was a highly decorated Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitor, earning more than 15 medals and twice claiming the CBJJE World Jiu-Jitsu Cup Championship.
For more information about Oliveira’s charitable work, visit the official Instagram page of the Charles do Bronxs Institute here.
Penny Buffington
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