Charles Oliveira emerged from UFC 274 in Phoenix with a dramatic victory but without the lightweight title he came in with.
After a controversial weight miss of 0.5 pounds, Oliveira was stripped of the belt and ruled ineligible to win the belt, leaving Gaethje, who made weight at 155 pounds, the only fighter who could win it. “The Highlight” seemingly had the psychological advantage going into the contest.
Oliveira (33-8-0, 1NC absorbed some big shots from Gaethje (23-4-0) early but then dragged him to the ground to lock in the rear-naked choke, forcing referee Marc Goddard to call the bout at 3:55 of the very first frame.
The most dangerous finisher in the UFC strikes again 💥
[ @CharlesDoBronxs | #UFC274 ] pic.twitter.com/E0EgLi71A2
— UFC (@ufc) May 8, 2022
After the bout, Oliveira reiterated his claim that he is the champion and will fight anyone. The UFC will now determine who he will face to win the officially vacant title.
In the co-main event, despite a lacklustre fight, inaugural strawweight champion Carla Esparza once again won claimed back the belt with a split-decision victory over Rose Namajunas. Esparza defeated Namajunas back in December 2014.
History: made ✅
[ @CarlaEsparza1 | #UFC274 ] pic.twitter.com/aI45FWgbgL
— UFC (@ufc) May 8, 2022
These two performances made us go 😱
Your POTN honors belong to @AndreFialhoJr1 & @MikeChandlerMMA!
[ #UFC274 | B2YB @BattleMotors ] pic.twitter.com/v5EJLuqfUl
— UFC (@ufc) May 8, 2022
Andre Fialho and Michael Chandler earned performances of the night while Brandon Royval and Matt Schnell took home Fight of the Night. Each fighter earned a $50,000 USD bonus.
These two gave an 𝗜𝗡𝗖𝗥𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗕𝗟𝗘 show tonight 👏@BrandonRoyval & @Danger_Caged earn your FOTN!
[ #UFC274 | B2YB @ToyoTires ] pic.twitter.com/24KGIQGojp
— UFC (@ufc) May 8, 2022
Kenai Andrews checks in with his thoughts on the card.
UFC 274 FIGHT PASS PRELIMS
JOURNEY NEWSON VS. FERNANDO GARCIA
The Journey to his first UFC victory is complete 👏
[ @JourneyJ135UFC | #UFC274 ] pic.twitter.com/J8U7ldfQcR
— UFC (@ufc) May 7, 2022
WINNER: JOURNEY NEWSON VIA UD (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: FERNANDO GARICA VIA UD
Andrews: Okay, you earned the win Journey. Now show some consistency.
ARIANE CARNELOSSI VS. LUPITA GODINEZ
Absolute DOMINANCE 😤@LoopyGodinez takes the W after an impressive performance.
[ #UFC274 | Early Prelims Live on @ESPNPlus & @UFCFightPass ] pic.twitter.com/VSefejTlec
— UFC (@ufc) May 7, 2022
WINNER: LUPITA GODINEZ VIA UD (30-27, 30-26, 30-26)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: ARIANE CARNELOSSI VIA TKO
Andrews: Wow. Ariane got the brakes beat off her.
KLEYDSON RODRIGUES VS. C.J. VERGARA
🗣 BY SPLIT DECISION!@CJVergara1991 takes his first UFC victory!
[ #UFC274 | Early Prelims Live on @ESPNPlus & @UFCFightPass ] pic.twitter.com/N1rAlP82B7
— UFC (@ufc) May 7, 2022
WINNER: C.J. VERGARA VIA SD (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: KLEYDSON RODRIGUES VIA UD
Andrews: Too close for comfort.
TRACY CORTEZ VS. MELISSA GATTO
Phoenix's finest gets the victory in her hometown 🙌
[ @TracyCortezMMA | #UFC274 | Early prelims continue LIVE on @ESPNPlus & @UFCFightPass ] pic.twitter.com/RucgrHeziX
— UFC (@ufc) May 7, 2022
WINNER: TRACY CORTEZ VIA UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: MELISSA GATTO VIA SUBMISSION
Andrews: I thought Melissa would get the tap. Give Tracy credit.
ANDRE FIALHO VS. CAMERON VANCAMP
PORTUGAL STAND UP 🇵🇹
[ @AndreFialhoJr1 | #UFC274 ] pic.twitter.com/AC3IysFZVT
— UFC (@ufc) May 7, 2022
WINNER: ANDRE FIALHO VIA KO (PUNCH) R1 2:35
ANDREWS PREDICTION: ANDRE FIALHO VIA TKO
Andrews: That’s what you do when you have the advantage. Take it.
BLAGOY IVANOV VS. MARCOS ROGERIO DE LIMA
Making his return to the Octagon in a BIG way 🙌
Blagoy Ivanov locks the UD victory tonight! #UFC274 pic.twitter.com/S7UfA1G5en
— UFC (@ufc) May 8, 2022
WINNER: BLAGOY IVANOV VIA UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: MARCOS ROGERIO DE LIMA VIA TKO
Andrews: De Lima couldn’t land the big shot.
BRANDON ROYVAL VS. MATT SCHNELL
DONE IN ONE 🤯
[ @BrandonRoyval | #UFC274 ] pic.twitter.com/uEiLdXAqRW
— UFC (@ufc) May 8, 2022
WINNER: BRANDON ROYVAL VIA SUBMISSION (GUILLOTINE CHOKE) R1 2:14
ANDREWS PREDICTION: BRANDON ROYVAL VIA UD
Andrews: Good win for Brandon. Schnell is tough to finish in one round.
MACY CHIASSON VS. NORMA DUMONT
It's back in the win column for Macy Chiasson 🙌
[ #UFC274 | Prelims Live on @ESPN ] pic.twitter.com/a3Pz09IMun
— UFC (@ufc) May 8, 2022
WINNER: MACY CHIASSON VIA SD (30-27, 28-29, 30-27)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: NORMA DUMONT VIA TKO
Andrews: Tough loss for Norma.
FRANCISCO TRINALDO VS. DANNY ROBERTS
43 & still going strong 💪
[ @MassarandubaMMA | #UFC274 ] pic.twitter.com/k25S4gi6nV
— UFC (@ufc) May 8, 2022
WINNER: FRANCISCO TRINALDO VIA UD (29-28, 30-27, 30-26)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: FRANCISCO TRINALDO VIA UD
Andrews: Trinaldo still has it. Good win.
RANDY BROWN VS. KALINN WILLIAMS
RUDEBOY secures the victory via split decision 💪
[ @TouchNgo_ | #UFC274 | Live on ESPN+ PPV: https://t.co/cbSgXTfJoR ] pic.twitter.com/0I6pATiwYl
— UFC (@ufc) May 8, 2022
WINNER: RANDY BROWN VIA SD (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: RANDY BROWN VIA UD
Andrews:
MAURICO RUA VS. OVINCE ST. PREUX
After 3 RDs, the victory belongs to @003_OSP 👊
[ #UFC274 | Live on ESPN+ PPV: https://t.co/cbSgXTfJoR ] pic.twitter.com/WNp48dsnbj
— UFC (@ufc) May 8, 2022
WINNER: OVINCE ST. PREUX VIA SD (28-29, 29-28, 30-27)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: MAURICIO RUA VIA TKO
Andrews: Disappointing performance for OSP. Barely beat him.
#5 MICHAEL CHANDLER VS. #7 TONY FERGUSON
🤯 #UFC274 pic.twitter.com/qimbcNY0Yg
— UFC (@ufc) May 8, 2022
WINNER: MICHAEL CHANDLER VIA KO (FRONT KICK) R2 0:17
ANDREWS PREDICTION: MICHAEL CHANDLER VIA TKO
Andrews: Wow! Tony looked better this time, but the guys are younger do stuff like this now.
(C) ROSE NAMAJUNAS VS. CARLA ESPARZA
🗣 BY SPLIT DECISION!@CarlaEsparza1 is the NEW SW champion of the world 🏆
[ #UFC274 | Live on ESPN+ PPV: https://t.co/cbSgXTfJoR ] pic.twitter.com/DmbxaVdj5K
— UFC (@ufc) May 8, 2022
WINNER: CARLA ESPARZA VIA SD (47-48, 49-46, 48-47)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: ROSE NAMAJUNAS VIA TKO
Andrews: Esparza has Rose’s number. Not a barnburner, but Esparza did what she had to do.
MAIN EVENT
CHARLES OLIVEIRA VS. #1 JUSTIN GAETHJE
Charles & Dana having a chat 👀
[ @CharlesDoBronxs | #UFC274 ] pic.twitter.com/NaJIF5rq14
— UFC (@ufc) May 8, 2022
WINNER: CHARLES OLIVEIRA VIA SUBMISSION (RNC) R1 3:22
ANDREWS PREDICTION: CHARLES OLIVEIRA VIA SUBMISSION
Andrews: The lightweight division has a champion and his name is Charles Oliveira.
The next UFC event is UFC on ESPN 36, which is scheduled for Saturday May 14, at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Former light heavyweight champion Jon Blachowicz takes on Aleksandar Rajic in the main event.
