Charles Oliveira may no longer be champ, but he proved why he’s the best lightweight in the world at UFC 274 tonight.
It took just over three minutes for Oliveira to submit Justin Gaethje in their championship bout, marking a positive end to the most disastrous week of his career. The 32-year-old had been stripped of his lightweight title before the fight for missing weight, so after tonight’s win, he’s now the division’s No. 1 contender.
It was a frenetic, back-and-forth fight while it lasted. Oliveira rocked Gaethje early before the American returned the favor, sending Oliveira to the canvas. But soon after, the Brazilian took Gaethje’s back, landed some wicked elbows, attempted a triangle choke, and when that didn’t work, sunk in a rear-naked choke to get the win.
Oliveira has now won his last 11 fights, and only one of those has gone the distance. His submission of Gaethje was the sixteenth of his UFC career, and his nineteenth finish—extending his lead in the promotion’s record books. Like Michael Chandler earlier in the night, the Brazilian called out Conor McGregor during his post-fight interview.
You can catch all the highlights of the main event below.
The Phoenix crowd is LOVING @Justin_Gaethje's entrance
[ #UFC274 | Live on ESPN+ PPV: https://t.co/cbSgXSYGmR ] pic.twitter.com/E3tFlhWkXw
— UFC (@ufc) May 8, 2022
Charles Oliveira hugs Justin Gaethje before their fight
STREAM #UFC274 NOW
https://t.co/BgblprK2jC pic.twitter.com/PWOHT4SnpH
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) May 8, 2022
No more waiting – time for action
[ #UFC274 | Live on ESPN+ PPV: https://t.co/cbSgXSYGmR ] pic.twitter.com/1uc04SxjEW
— UFC (@ufc) May 8, 2022
This was Oliveira’s eleventh consecutive win.
The most dangerous finisher in the UFC strikes again
[ @CharlesDoBronxs | #UFC274 ] pic.twitter.com/E0EgLi71A2
— UFC (@ufc) May 8, 2022
Charles & Dana having a chat
[ @CharlesDoBronxs | #UFC274 ] pic.twitter.com/NaJIF5rq14
— UFC (@ufc) May 8, 2022
The best LW in the world
[ @CharlesDoBronxs| #UFC274 ] pic.twitter.com/dwEB7NaZ0E
— UFC (@ufc) May 8, 2022
Fired up and ready for more
[ @CharlesDoBronxs | #UFC274 ] pic.twitter.com/n7vRQ2GX41
— UFC (@ufc) May 8, 2022
Respect
[ @CharlesDoBronxs @Justin_Gaethje | #UFC274 ] pic.twitter.com/UopsSxniJG
— UFC (@ufc) May 8, 2022
Now, let’s see how fighters reacted to Oliveira’s victory over Gaethje at UFC 274.
Called it. Even if he knocked him down he too shit to be able to follow him down and do anything substantial. Always Charles’s fight.
Sorry @Drake should have posted
But it’s my pleasure @DraftKings, add it to my take of tonight’s winnings. pic.twitter.com/RRuja6H3Ag— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) May 8, 2022
Congrats Charles and see you in AbuDhabi for vacant
— Makhachev Islam (@MAKHACHEVMMA) May 8, 2022
@CharlesDoBronxs is the real deal
— Sergio Pettis (@sergiopettis) May 8, 2022
Islam vs Olivera yes
— Al Iaquinta
(@ALIAQUINTA)
Congrats to @CharlesDoBronxs you are the real champ @Justin_Gaethje you promised hell but this looks like heaven to me
— Rafael “Ataman” Fiziev (@RafaelFiziev) May 8, 2022
I tried to tell em!! LFG @CharlesDoBronxs
— Vince Morales (@vandetta135) May 8, 2022
Olivera is just a damn beast
That had me on my toes.. Back and forth fight! Loved it!— Adrian Yanez (@yanezmma) May 8, 2022
UFC 274: Oliveira vs. Gaethje Results & Highlights
MMA News is providing ongoing coverage of UFC 274. We’ve got you covered with live results, video highlights, and post-fight tidbits.
Continue Reading Fighters React To Oliveira Submitting Gaethje at UFC 274 at MMA News.