Shock
Charles Oliveira stripped of world title after missing weight ahead of his fight with Justin Gaethje at UFC 274
Charles Oliveira has been stripped of his lightweight world title after missing weight ahead of his fight with Justin Gaethje at the highly anticipated UFC 274.
The fight will go ahead, but the lightweight title is now vacant due to Oliverira's weight issue.
2
At the weigh-in, Gaethje weighed in without a hitch, coming in at 155lbs, but then Oliveira stepped up to the scales and registered half a pound over the 155lb limit.
The Brazilian was then given one hour to make weight, as per the Arizona commission rules, but after returning, he once again failed to get below the limit, weighing in at 155.5lbs.
A spokesman from the UFC then addressed those in attendance at the weigh-in and explained how the event would proceed.
"The fight is still on and the title is currently vacant," the spokesman said. "If Charles wins the fight tomorrow night, he will win the fight, but the belt will be vacant.
"If Justin Gaethje wins the fight tomorrow night, he will win the championship."
This is a huge turn of events given that Oliveira was the favourite heading into Saturday's fight at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona.
Most read in MMA
2
Oliveira has a history of missing weight, but he has not had a problem since returning to the lightweight division in 2017.
The Brazilian is on a ten fight win streak in the UFC and he won the lightweight title against Michael Chandler last year.
To follow up, Oliveira then beat Conor McGregor's conqueror, Dustin Poirier at UFC 269 in December.
Oliveira also holds the UFC record for most submissions (15) and most finishes (18).
talkSPORT Bet Of The Day
talkSPORT Boosted Treble with Sky Bet
Burnley, Crystal Palace & Liverpool all to win (was 6/1) @ 7/1 -
Available to all eligible customers. Max stake rules apply. T&Cs apply. . 18+
Topics