UFC 274: Charles Oliveira stops Justin Gaethje in first round to extend win streak

Brazilian set to fight for lightweight title having been stripped of the belt for failing to make weight

Charles Oliveira celebrates after his submission victory over Justin Gaethje in their lightweight championship bout at UFC 274 at Footprint Center on May 07, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. Getty

Charles Oliveira celebrates after his submission victory over Justin Gaethje at UFC 274. AFP

Charles Oliveira has his arm raised in victory after beating Justin Gaethje at UFC 274. Getty

Charles Oliveira and Justin Gaethje fight during their lightweight bout at UFC 274. Reuters

Charles Oliveira applies a hold for the submission victory against Justin Gaethje at UFC 274. Reuters

Charles Oliveira applies a hold against Justin Gaethje at UFC 274. Reuters

Charles Oliveira throws a punch at Justin Gaethje during their fight at UFC 274. Reuters

Rose Namajunas kicks Carla Esparza in their women’s strawweight championship bout at UFC 274. Getty

Rose Namajunas throws a right on Carla Esparza in their women’s strawweight championship bout at UFC 274. Getty

Rose Namajunas and Carla Esparza fight in their women’s strawweight championship bout at UFC 274. Getty

Carla Esparza celebrates after her victory over Rose Namajunas at UFC 274. Getty

Carla Esparza reacts to her championship victory against Rose Namajunas at UFC 274. Reuters

Michael Chandler is declared the winner by knockout against Tony Ferguson at UFC 274. Reuters

Michael Chandler celebrates his knockout victory against Tony Ferguson at UFC 274. Reuters

Michael Chandler fights against Tony Ferguson at UFC 274. Reuters

Michael Chandler kicks Tony Ferguson for the knockout at UFC 274. Reuters

Charles Oliveira bounced back from his controversial missed weight by delivering a superb victory against Justin Gaethje in the headline event at UFC 274 at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona on Sunday morning.

The Brazilian, who lost the lightweight title when he came in half a pound over the 155-lbs limit on Friday, sealed the win with a rear-naked choke towards the conclusion of a thrilling first round. It extended his win streak to 11.

Because of the missed weight, Oliveira will now fight for the title in his next bout as the division’s No 1-ranked contender.

Gaethje, a former interim lightweight champion, was attempting to capture the undisputed crown for the second time having lost his previous attempt against then-champion Khabib Nurmagomedov in Abu Dhabi in late 2020.

In the night’s co-main event, Carla Esparza reclaimed the women’s strawweight title in her rematch with Rose Namajunas, defeating the champion by split decision in a hugely disappointing bout. Esparza won the first encounter, in 2014.

Elsewhere, Michael Chandelr delivered one of the knockouts of the year with a brutal front kick to knock out Tony Ferguson in the second round of their highly anticipated contest. Chandler, who last year fought for the lightweight belt, called out Oliveira, Gaethje and Conor McGregor during his in-octagon interview afterwards.

More to follow