Was Charles Oliveira stripped of his title? Taking a look at the Brazilian’s weight-cut drama before Justin Gaethje fight at UFC 274

Charles Oliveira’s reputation as one of the UFC’s most dependable finishers has only been strengthened by his exceptional striking skills, complementing his already top-notch grappling abilities. His unwavering aggression and relentless fighting style have earned him a loyal fanbase worldwide, cementing his enduring popularity in the sport.

Oliveira has a remarkable track record of 16 UFC wins through submission, consistently showcasing his exceptional talents whenever the fight heads to the mat. His list of victories includes notable triumphs over esteemed opponents including Darren Elkins, Clay Guida, Christos Giagos, Jim Miller, David Teymur, Kevin Lee, Dustin Poirier, and many others.

‘Do Bronx’ has acquired an impressive collection of accolades, including several highly coveted accomplishments. He currently holds the record for most finishes in UFC history with 20 victories. Furthermore, his 22 wins in the UFC tie him for the fourth-highest number of wins. In addition, Oliveira’s 19 post-fight bonuses remain unrivaled.

Despite facing many obstacles, the former UFC lightweight champion is now recognized as one of the top MMA fighters in the world. Oliveira’s journey to the top has been filled with challenges, beginning with a difficult childhood in the impoverished neighborhood of Guaruja in Sao Paulo. He started working at a young age, helping his mother sell cheese salads from a trailer. It was during this time that he made friends with children who were practicing jiu-jitsu.

At the age of 12, ‘Do Bronx’ was invited by his friends to join them at a nearby grappling academy. However, due to financial limitations, his uncle Paulo, who happened to know the instructor, stepped in and arranged for Oliveira to receive a scholarship. This opportunity allowed him to continue his training.

The Reasons Behind Charles Oliveira’s Lightweight Title Stripping Before UFC 274 Against Justin Gaethje

Despite facing fierce competition in the lightweight division of the UFC, Charles Oliveira has emerged victorious in 12 out of his last 13 fights. His only loss during this impressive streak was against current champion Islam Makhachev at UFC 280 in October 2022. However, Oliveira quickly rebounded with a remarkable first-round finish against Beneil Dariush at UFC 289 last June.

Despite a significant setback, ‘Do Bronx’ persevered and used it as motivation for his upcoming fight. At the UFC 274 weigh-ins in May 2022, he unfortunately missed weight for the 155-pound title and was subsequently stripped of the belt. However, he remained determined and weighed in at 155.5 pounds, just half a pound over the limit for a lightweight title bout. As a result, only his opponent, Justin Gaethje, was eligible to claim the title.

When the fight began, Oliveira directly confronted Gaethje, pushing forward despite receiving strong leg kicks. He responded with forceful knee strikes to the body. While ‘The Highlight’ did land an uppercut and right hand that rocked Oliveira, the latter was unsuccessful in trying to lure Gaethje to the ground.

Despite enduring multiple injuries, ‘Do Bronx’ maintained his composure. In the end, he landed a powerful right hand that knocked out Gaethje, enabling him to smoothly move to the ground and secure a win in the first round with a rear-naked choke.

Upcoming UFC Fight: Charles Oliveira vs. Arman Tsarukyan in Potential Title Eliminator at UFC 300

Charles Oliveira is getting ready to face Arman Tsarukyan in a potential title eliminator fight at UFC 300, a highly anticipated pay-per-view event taking place on April 13 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Despite being initially set to face Islam Makhachev at UFC 294 in October, Oliveira was unable to compete due to a last-minute injury sustained during training. Tsarukyan, who suffered a defeat against the current champion in his debut fight five years ago, is also eager for a rematch with Makhachev.