Charles Oliveira at the UFC 274 weigh ins (Bloody Elbow)
UFC lightweight fighter Charles Oliveria reacts after missing the championship mark by 0.5 lbs ahead of UFC 274
The main event of UFC 274 has been hit by a major bump, as Charles Oliveira missed weight by a thin 0.5 lbs, even as he was given a second attempt. Oliveira (32-8 MMA) was set to defend his lightweight title against Justin Gaethje (23-3 MMA) in the headliner of tomorrow night’s pay-per-view event in Phoenix.
This debacle marked the first time in UFC history that a champion lost his belt on the scales. The Brazilian was forced to vacant his belt, while Justin Gaethje who made the championship weight is still eligible to claim it. If Charles wins the fight, he will not get his hands on the belt, and will probably get another immediate title shot with the next contender in line for the vacant belt.
The only other scenario was when Nicco Montano was hospitalized before her scheduled bout against Valentina Shevchenko. She was later stripped of the title after being unable to weigh in or compete.
Charles Oliveira quickly reacted to the whole unfortunate incident on Instagram by posting a picture with the caption, “The champion has a name his name is Charles Oliveira let’s go with everything Brazilian nation God is God he never abandoned me and it won’t be now that he goes I am the CHOSEN THE ILLUMINATED” [Translated]
Oliviera made his first official title defense with a submission win over Dustin Poirier at UFC 269, and has now won his last 10 trips to the Octagon. That happens to include nine stoppages and two title fight wins.
The human highlight reel Justin Gaethje has been calling out for a fight against ‘Do Bronx’ for the longest time. He believes that he has the advantage on the feet, and contrary to naysayers who give the significant advantage on the ground to Charles, the American believes he can take the Brazilian down.
“Justin Gaethje is coming up with a lot of bullsh*t,” said Oliveira during a recent interview with Brazilian media outlet Olhar da Luta (transcription via MMA Clips Brazil). “I think that’s what he’s trying to do, to win the mind game. But that makes no difference to me. I learned that we have two ears to listen but we also have to let it out… If he thinks he can beat me in a standing fight, he can try to knock me out. If he thinks he’s a better wrestler than me, he can take me down too.”
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