Charles Oliveira loses his championship belt even before the fight starts! During the official weigh-ins ahead of UFC 274, Charles Oliveira missed weight for the Lightweight title bout this weekend against Justin Gaethje. It is now confirmed that Oliveira has indeed been stripped of his 155lbs title because of it.
Do Bronx looked shocked after he initially weighed in at 156lbs on his first attempt. Following that, he immediately hopped on the scale once again without any clothes to see if it makes any difference or not. But he was once again 0.5lbs heavier than the official weight.
Charles Oliveira missed the 155-pound limit for his lightweight title fight after receiving an additional hour to lose .5 pounds and has been stripped of his title.
The #UFC274 main event will commence, but only Justin Gaethje has the opportunity to win the UFC title. pic.twitter.com/W7tc8ZCeZk
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) May 6, 2022
Although he got one extra hour to make the championship weight, the Brazilian was not able to shed the last half-pound. After 3 failed attempts from Oliveira, UFC announced that the fight will continue as scheduled. However, only Justin Gaethje can legally become the champion for making the weight of 155lbs.
Fighters react to Charles Oliveira missing weight ahead of UFC 274
A champion missing weight for such a massive PPV event is extremely rare. Hence, as soon as the news broke that Charles Oliveira failed to make weight, reactions started pouring in online. While Paul Felder called Oliveira “a disgrace,” Michael Chandler was more sympathetic towards the 33-year-old.
Paul Felder, who still remains the last person to beat Charles in the UFC, wrote,
Wonder if he still wants to fight at 145. I have nothing against the champ. But this is a disgrace. And I honestly feel most for Justin. What an absolute let down for everyone in the division. #sadday
— Paul Felder (@felderpaul) May 6, 2022
Michael Chandler, who Oliveira beat at UFC 262 to win the Lightweight Championship, also reacted to the incident. Instead of opting to demean the freshly stripped champion, Chandler provided a rational explanation as to why the situation may have taken place. He wrote,
Making weight is always hard. But thinking you’re on weight, then missing weight, just to have to go lose more weight after you’ve lost your initial sweat is a living nightmare both physically and mentally. #ufc274
— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) May 6, 2022
The no. 3 ranked lightweight fighter Islam Makhachev seems to be enjoying the whole fiasco. He tweeted,
Big Drama
— Makhachev Islam (@MAKHACHEVMMA) May 6, 2022
Dustin Poirier, who picked Charles Oliveira to win, is now doubting his choice. ‘El Diamante’ tweeted,
I was thinking Charles wins but I don’t know now….crazy https://t.co/t9NG2M0Bor
— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) May 6, 2022
And finally, the man who still has a shot at winning the strap this Saturday, also gave his two cents on the proceedings. Justin Gaethje wrote,
I posted my weight 3 hours after I stepped on the scale. Average weight gained back by athletes in the UFC is 10% of body weight. You guys might not like it but it is the law of the land. #fyi
— Justin Gaethje 🇺🇸 (@Justin_Gaethje) May 6, 2022
UFC 274 will take place this Saturday in Phoenix, Arizona. It was originally supposed to be headlined by the 155lbs Championship bout between Charles Oliveira and Justin Gaethje. However, UFC may decide to bump the co-main event between Rose Namajunas and Carla Esparza (for the UFC Strawweight Championship) to the headlining spot.
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