Oliveira fails weigh-in and loses belt

Charles Oliveira
Charles Oliveira

UFC Lightweight Champion Charles Oliveira failed to make weight for the upcoming fight with Justin Gaethje, which will be held on the night of May 8 at UFC 274 in Phoenix. Because of this, the Brazilian will be stripped of his title.

At the official weigh-in, Oliveira showed an advantage of 0.5 pounds (260 grams). Thus, in the event of a Brazilian victory or a draw, the belt will be vacant, but if Gaethje wins, he will become the new champion.

This marked the first time in UFC history that a champion lost a title at a weigh-in.

Oliveira, 32, won the vacant belt last May with a TKO win over Michael Chandler. In December, the Brazilian made his only title defense, strangling Dustin Poirier in the third round.