Lightweight champion Charles Oliveira will return to the octagon at UFC 274 to defend the belt against a former interim champ in Justin Gaethje.
The UFC confirmed the title fight during the UFC 272 broadcast.
Oliveira (32-8-0, 1NC), 32, is coming off a win over Dustin Poirier at UFC 269 last December. He hasn’t lost since December 2017, a stretch of 10 fights.
Gaethje (23-3-0), 33, previously challenged for the title at UFC 254, losing via submission to now retired champion Khabib Nurmagomedov. After a decision win over Michael Chandler at UFC 268 in November 2021 to win the , he is back in the big dance.
Thank you to @Justin_Gaethje for imparting some wisdom about mindset, work ethic & committing to be great every day 🤝#GoBuffs | #CUlture pic.twitter.com/TIQMimRUbI
— Colorado Buffaloes Football (@CUBuffsFootball) March 5, 2022
Gaethje’s good fortune follows Michael Chandler’s quick title shot as the streaking No. 3 Islam Makhachev is set to fight No. 4 Beneil Dariush.
UFC 274 is scheduled to take place at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, AZ on May 7. More bouts are expected to be announced.
