UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira has been stripped off the belt after failing to make weight for his title defence against Justin Gaethje later tonight, although the Brazilian believes the issue has been caused by a dodgy weighing scales.
The pair had been due to meet in Phoenix in the main event at UFC 274. Oliviera weighed in at 155.5lbs, half a pound over the limit. Despite being given an hour to shed the extra weight, he was unable to do so. The fight will still go ahead, although only Gaethje is now eligible to walk away from the octagon with the title.
This is the first time that a UFC champion has had to vacate their belt for failing to make weight for a title defence.
Charles Oliveira’s initial confused reaction on the weigh in scale now makes sense.
DC picked up on it right away. #UFC274 pic.twitter.com/gNTyYvLIhg— Kevin Thang (@Skip2MyJays) May 6, 2022
This is the fourth occasion that the 32-year old has failed to make weight in the UFC, although the other infringements occurred during his stint in the lighter featherweight division.
However, he believes this is all down to a malfunctioning weighing scales.
Charles Oliveira stripped of UFC lightweight title
Speaking after failing to make weight, Charles Oliviera said the blame can be placed on the scales that the UFC provided in the buildup to the weigh-in, claiming that they underestimated his weight by around one pound. He said that a number of other fighters on the card experienced a similar issue.
I made weight Thursday night. Man, we’re not here to make up stories. I swear in the name of my daughter, the most important thing in my life. I made weight on UFC’s scale on Thursday night, like I do every time.
On Friday morning, we went there [to check the weight] and it was 1kg [2,2 pounds] over. I said, ‘This is crazy. I’ve not drunk or eaten anything, I have to be lower than that. You’re crazy.’ And we started this war [cutting weight again].
Every other fighter [said] the same thing, 300g or 500g [0.6 to 1.1 pounds] over. We saw that they even told the commission it was over, and they never told us...
I had already made weight, so your head isn’t there anymore. I went to the sauna, I hit pads, I did everything because I’m the champion. The champion has to do everything to make weight, even thought I had already made it [before]. I did everything.
I sacrificed, but the scale didn’t even move. I weighed in the first time with underwear on and came in that weight, and I took that off and it was the same weight.
There’s no explanation. But the champion has a name and his name is Charles Oliveira.
Oliviera will be hoping to extend his ten-fight winning streak when he takes to the octagon in the early hours of tomorrow morning Irish time, a result which would leave the UFC lightweight title vacant.
Justin Gaethje will be aiming to win the title outright for the first time, having previously had a short reign as the interim champion.
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