Charles Oliveira stripped of his world title after losing weight ahead of his fight with Justin Gaethje at UFC 274

Charles Oliveira has been stripped of his world lightweight title after losing weight ahead of his fight with Justin Gaethje at the highly anticipated UFC 274.

The fight will continue, but the lightweight title is now vacant due to Oliverira’s weight issue.

At the weigh-in, Gaethje weighed in without a hitch, hitting 155 pounds, but then Oliveira stepped on the scale and registered half a pound over the 155-pound limit.

The Brazilian was then given an hour to gain weight, under Arizona commission rules, but after returning he again failed to drop below the limit, weighing in at 155.5 pounds.

A UFC spokesperson then addressed those in attendance at the weigh-in and explained how the event would unfold.

“The fight is still ongoing and the title is currently vacant,” the spokesperson said. “If Charles wins the fight tomorrow night, he will win the fight, but the belt will be vacant.

“If Justin Gaethje wins the fight tomorrow night, he will win the championship.”

It’s a huge turn of events considering Oliveira was the favorite going into Saturday’s fight at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona.

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Oliveira has a history of losing weight, but he hasn’t had a problem since returning to the lightweight division in 2017.

The Brazilian is on a ten-fight UFC winning streak and won the lightweight title over Michael Chandler last year.

To follow up, Oliveira then defeated Conor McGregor conqueror Dustin Poirier at UFC 269 in December.

Oliveira also holds the UFC record for most submissions (15) and most finishes (18).

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