UFC 274 Preview: Oliveira vs. Gaethje

This Saturday, UFC Lightweight champion Charles Oliveira will defend his title for the second time as he takes on Justin Gaethje in an epic fight that is, without doubt, one of the best fixtures we’ve gotten this year so far. This is Gaethje’s second attempt at the UFC Lightweight title after failing to win it in 2020.

Oliveira is nothing short of a phenomenon. With 32 wins from 41 fights, he has been quite impressive over the years, but there is more. He currently holds the record for most submission wins in the UFC with 15, as well as the record for most finishes, which is 18. In May 2021, he won the UFC Lightweight title, which was vacant, and successfully defended it against Dustin Poirier in December of the same year, after defeating him via submission in the third round. If he wins this Saturday, he would not only get to keep the title for a few more months, but he would also be extending his legend, which would not be matched anytime soon.

Currently ranked number one in the UFC Lightweight rankings, Gaethje has just three losses from 26 fights. His attempt to win the UFC Lightweight title from Khabib Nurmagomedov in 2020 was unsuccessful, but now he is back and hoping to perform better. His last fight was in November 2021, when he defeated Michael Chandler in the third round. Chandler is the same person Oliveira beat to win the UFC Lightweight title, so that is something both men have in common. Another thing they have in common is that neither of them is relentless. But only one would emerge the winner.

Oliveira would be going to the fight as the favourite, while Gaethje takes the underdog position in this bout. Oliveira has not had a loss in over 10 fights, but Gaethje has suffered 3 losses in his last 10 fights. Still, none of these might matter when the two fighters stand in the octagon on Saturday evening.

Written by: Leon Osamor