Justin Gaethje has vowed to knock out Charles Oliveira at UFC 274 and has bashed the champion for missing weight ahead of their highly anticipated title bout.
UFC 274 promises to be a banger of an event with so many exciting fights on the card. The most notable amongst these fights is the lightweight championship between champion Charles Oliveira and number one contender Justin Gaethje. But with so little time to go before the fight, Oliveira has been stripped of his title after he failed to make weight ahead of their epic showdown. The main event will still go ahead, with only Gaethje having the opportunity to win the title, with the belt now considered vacant.
Speaking to Joe Rogan after the ceremonial weigh-ins, Gaethje said, ” It’s the same mission. That thing (weight cut) does not matter, and it will not affect one thing tomorrow night. I am here to knock him out, I was here to knock him out before he didn’t make weight.”
The Highlight also bashed Oliveira for missing weight, “I think it’s ridiculous, but here I am. I’m gonna knock his a** out, I promise you that.”
Justin Gaethje has only one goal in mind đ #UFC274 pic.twitter.com/rqOp3DHFDt
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) May 7, 2022
The UFC is not generally this strict when it comes to non-title fights with the fighters being given a one-pound allowance when they hit the scales. The dynamics are different in title bouts, where it is imperative for the fighters to ensure that they make weight. This is the first time in UFC history that a champion has failed to make weight.
Gaethje will be in the running for his second title shot. He lost his first title bout to then-champion Khabib Nurmagomedov. As the title is now considered vacant, the only way Oliveira can win the title back is if he beats both Gaethje, and the next contender.
