UFC’s Charles Oliveira loses title when he fails to make weight
3 years ago
Charles #Charles
PHOENIX — Eight ounces cost Charles Oliveira 10.5 pounds of gold and potentially a lot more.
The lightweight great became the first UFC champion to lost his title on the scales Friday morning after three failed attempts to weigh in at 155 pounds for his UFC 274 title fight Saturday night at Footprint Center.
Oliveira’s main event with top-ranked Justin Gaethje is still on, but Oliveira cannot win the vacated title. Gaethje (23-3), the former interim lightweight champion, was the second fighter to weigh in, shortly after 9 a.m. The top-ranked contender came in at 155 pounds on the nose and is eligible to win the belt.
The UFC said in a release that Oliveira, 32, will forfeit an undisclosed percentage of his purse. Should the Brazilian star win Saturday night, he will become the No. 1 contender for the vacant title and “fight the next challenger for the undisputed title belt at a time and place to be determined.”
One of the most decorated fighters in UFC history and riding a 10-fight win streak, Oliveira (32-8, 1 NC) was the last fighter to weigh in Friday at the Hyatt Regency in Phoenix. Minutes before the 11 a.m. deadline, he stepped on the scale one pound over at 156.
UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira weighed in at 155.5 missing weight and being forced to vacate the 155-pound title during the UFC 274 official weigh-in at the Hyatt Regency in Phoenix, AZ Friday May 6, 2022. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira weighed in at 155.5 missing weight and being forced to vacate the 155-pound title during the UFC 274 official weigh-in at the Hyatt Regency in Phoenix, AZ Friday May 6, 2022. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira weighed in at 155.5 missing weight and being forced to vacate the 155-pound title during the UFC 274 official weigh-in at the Hyatt Regency in Phoenix, AZ Friday May 6, 2022. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira weighed in at 155.5 missing weight and being forced to vacate the 155-pound title during the UFC 274 official weigh-in at the Hyatt Regency in Phoenix, AZ Friday May 6, 2022. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Lightweight challenger Justin Gaethje weighs in at 155 pounds during the UFC 274 official weigh-in at the Hyatt Regency in Phoenix, AZ Friday May 6, 2022. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Lightweight challenger Justin Gaethje weighs in at 155 pounds during the UFC 274 official weigh-in at the Hyatt Regency in Phoenix, AZ Friday May 6, 2022. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion Rose Namajunas weighs in at 115 pounds during the UFC 274 official weigh-in at the Hyatt Regency in Phoenix, AZ Friday May 6, 2022. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion Rose Namajunas weighs in at 115 pounds during the UFC 274 official weigh-in at the Hyatt Regency in Phoenix, AZ Friday May 6, 2022. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
UFC women’s strawweight challenger Carla Esparza weighs in at 115 pounds during the UFC 274 official weigh-in at the Hyatt Regency in Phoenix, AZ Friday May 6, 2022. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
UFC women’s strawweight challenger Carla Esparza weighs in at 115 pounds during the UFC 274 official weigh-in at the Hyatt Regency in Phoenix, AZ Friday May 6, 2022. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Tony Ferguson weighs in at 155.5 pounds during the UFC 274 official weigh-in at the Hyatt Regency in Phoenix, AZ Friday May 6, 2022. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Tony Ferguson weighs in at 155.5 pounds during the UFC 274 official weigh-in at the Hyatt Regency in Phoenix, AZ Friday May 6, 2022. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Michael Chandler weighs in at 156 pounds during the UFC 274 official weigh-in at the Hyatt Regency in Phoenix, AZ Friday May 6, 2022. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Michael Chandler weighs in at 156 pounds during the UFC 274 official weigh-in at the Hyatt Regency in Phoenix, AZ Friday May 6, 2022. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Ovince Saint Preux weighs in at 205 pounds during the UFC 274 official weigh-in at the Hyatt Regency in Phoenix, AZ Friday May 6, 2022. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Loopy Godinez weighs in at 115 pounds during the UFC 274 official weigh-in at the Hyatt Regency in Phoenix, AZ Friday May 6, 2022. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
CJ Vergara weighs in at 126 pounds during the UFC 274 official weigh-in at the Hyatt Regency in Phoenix, AZ Friday May 6, 2022. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Journey Newson weighs in at 135.5 pounds during the UFC 274 official weigh-in at the Hyatt Regency in Phoenix, AZ Friday May 6, 2022. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Norma Dumont weighs in at 146.5 pounds, missing weight, during the UFC 274 official weigh-in at the Hyatt Regency in Phoenix, AZ Friday May 6, 2022. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Norma Dumont weighs in at 146.5 pounds, missing weight, during the UFC 274 official weigh-in at the Hyatt Regency in Phoenix, AZ Friday May 6, 2022. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira weighed in at 155.5 missing weight and being forced to vacate the 155-pound title during the UFC 274 official weigh-in at the Hyatt Regency in Phoenix, AZ Friday May 6, 2022. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira weighed in at 155.5 missing weight and being forced to vacate the 155-pound title during the UFC 274 official weigh-in at the Hyatt Regency in Phoenix, AZ Friday May 6, 2022. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Blagoy Ivanov weighs in at 253.5 pounds during the UFC 274 official weigh-in at the Hyatt Regency in Phoenix, AZ Friday May 6, 2022. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
CJ Vergara weighs in at 126 pounds during the UFC 274 official weigh-in at the Hyatt Regency in Phoenix, AZ Friday May 6, 2022. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Kleydson Rodrigues weighs in at 125.5 pounds during the UFC 274 official weigh-in at the Hyatt Regency in Phoenix, AZ Friday May 6, 2022. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Francisco Trinaldo weighs in at 170.5 pounds during the UFC 274 official weigh-in at the Hyatt Regency in Phoenix, AZ Friday May 6, 2022. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Shogun Rua weighs in at 205.5 pounds during the UFC 274 official weigh-in at the Hyatt Regency in Phoenix, AZ Friday May 6, 2022. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Matt Schnell weighs in at 125.5 pounds during the UFC 274 official weigh-in at the Hyatt Regency in Phoenix, AZ Friday May 6, 2022. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Cameron VanCamp weighs in at 170 pounds during the UFC 274 official weigh-in at the Hyatt Regency in Phoenix, AZ Friday May 6, 2022. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Tracy Cortez weighs in at 125.5 during the UFC 274 official weigh-in at the Hyatt Regency in Phoenix, AZ Friday May 6, 2022. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Tracy Cortez weighs in at 125.5 during the UFC 274 official weigh-in at the Hyatt Regency in Phoenix, AZ Friday May 6, 2022. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Marcos Rogerio de Lima weighs in at 258.5 pounds during the UFC 274 official weigh-in at the Hyatt Regency in Phoenix, AZ Friday May 6, 2022. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Randy Brown weighs in at 170.5 pounds during the UFC 274 official weigh-in at the Hyatt Regency in Phoenix, AZ Friday May 6, 2022. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Khaos Williams weighs in at 170 pounds during the UFC 274 official weigh-in at the Hyatt Regency in Phoenix, AZ Friday May 6, 2022. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Donald Cerrone holds his son and son Dacson Danger after weighing in at 155.5 pounds at during the UFC 274 official weigh-in at the Hyatt Regency in Phoenix, AZ Friday May 6, 2022. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Brandon Royval weighs in at 125.5 during the UFC 274 official weigh-in at the Hyatt Regency in Phoenix, AZ Friday May 6, 2022. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
during the UFC 274 official weigh-in at the Hyatt Regency in Phoenix, AZ Friday May 6, 2022. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Andre Fialho weighs in at 170.5 pounds during the UFC 274 official weigh-in at the Hyatt Regency in Phoenix, AZ Friday May 6, 2022. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Ariane Carnelossi weighs in 115.5 at during the UFC 274 official weigh-in at the Hyatt Regency in Phoenix, AZ Friday May 6, 2022. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Donald Cerrone weighs in 155.5 pounds at during the UFC 274 official weigh-in at the Hyatt Regency in Phoenix, AZ Friday May 6, 2022. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Melissa Gatto weighs in at 125 pounds during the UFC 274 official weigh-in at the Hyatt Regency in Phoenix, AZ Friday May 6, 2022. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Macy Chiasson weighs in at 145.5 pounds during the UFC 274 official weigh-in at the Hyatt Regency in Phoenix, AZ Friday May 6, 2022. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Danny Roberts weighs in at 170.5 pounds during the UFC 274 official weigh-in at the Hyatt Regency in Phoenix, AZ Friday May 6, 2022. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Fernie Garcia weighs in at 136 pounds during the UFC 274 official weigh-in at the Hyatt Regency in Phoenix, AZ Friday May 6, 2022. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Joe Lauzon weighs in at 155.5 pounds during the UFC 274 official weigh-in at the Hyatt Regency in Phoenix, AZ Friday May 6, 2022. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
A modified curtain was quickly brought out and Oliveira weighed in without shorts, but was still a half-pound over.
The champion, who once had issues making weight as a featherweight, had never missed weight as a lightweight and had an hour to lose 8 ounces.
Oliveira returned shortly before the one-hour time limit was up just before noon. Again unclothed behind the curtain, Oliveira stood on the scales with his arms raised. After several seconds, his weight was announced as unchanged at 155.5 pounds.
Featherweight Norma Dumont also missed weight, registering 146.5 pounds on her first attempt. She chose not to try to lose the half-pound and will forfeit 30% of her purse to opponent Macy Chiasson.
After the weigh-ins, strawweight Ariane Carnelossi alleged a scale backstage was not calibrated the same way as the official scale.
No other fighters missed weight, with Gaethje clapping back on the Brazilian’s claim, pointing out his weight was the same backstage as it was on the stage.
Oliveira’s weight miss could tarnish the legacy of what has been a long and illustrious career.
No one has finished more fights in the UFC than Oliveira with 18, and his 15 submission wins are also a UFC record.
Oliveira, who debuted in the UFC as a lightweight in 2010, moved down to featherweight in early 2012. In a span of 10 fights from September 2012 to November 2016, Oliveira failed to make the 146-pound limit four times – a one-pound grace limit is allowed in non-title fights.
Oliveira moved back up to lightweight in April 2017 and won 11 of 12, making weight every time.
After undefeated champion Khabib Nurmagomedov retired and relinquished the belt in March 2021, Oliveira fought for the vacant lightweight title two months later. Oliveira recorded a second-round knockout of former Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler to win the belt at UFC 262 on May 15 in Houston.
Six months later, Oliveira defended his championship for the first time with a third-round submission via rear-naked choke of former interim lightweight titleholder Dustin Poirier at UFC 269 in Las Vegas.
UFC 274
Main event: Charles Oliveira vs. Justin Gaethje for the vacated lightweight title (Oliveira lost the belt after missing weight Friday and cannot win it Saturday)
Co-main event: strawweight champion Rose Namajunas vs. Carla Esparza
When: Saturday
Where: Footprint Center, Phoenix
How to watch: 2:30 p.m. (early prelims, ESPN+); 5 p.m. (prelins, ESPN/ESPN+); 7 p.m. (main card, ESPN+ via PPV)
