How did Charles Oliveira lose his title?

Last Modified Jun 19, 2025 12:14 GMT
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Charles Oliveira.

Charles Oliveira is an experienced professional mixed martial artist of the UFC. A prodigy in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, his journey in MMA began in 2007 when he clinched multiple championship titles. Ever since stepping foot inside the octagon for the first time, Oliveira has been a force to be reckoned with. Owing to his dominant outings, he is currently the No. 2 ranked contender in the lightweight division.

Charles Oliveira Title Loss

Charles Oliveira lost his coveted belt due to a weight-related mishap during the weigh-ins for UFC 274. Oliveira tipped the scales at 155.5 pounds, exceeding the 155-pound limit for the lightweight division. As a result, he was stripped of his title, making him the first champion to lose the belt due to weight issues.

Despite the circumstances surrounding the bout, the fight proceeded with only Justin Gaethje having the opportunity to claim the title with a victory; Charles Oliveira's win wouldn't secure him the championship. Oliveira defied the odds, showcasing his dominance in the lightweight division and secured a submission victory over Gaethje, reaffirming his status as the premier fighter in this division.

Charles Oliveira vs. Islam Makhachev

Charles Oliveira's victory over Gaethje solidified his position as the top contender in the lightweight division, ensuring his shot at the title in the next bout. However, his opponent for the championship fight was Islam Makhachev, who at the time, was on a 13-fight winning streak.

The fight took place at UFC 280 on October 22, 2022. In the opening round, Makhachev showcased his grappling prowess by securing takedowns and delivering ground-and-pound strikes. Oliveira managed to land an up kick but found himself on the defensive for the majority of the round. Makhachev's effective control earned him a 10-9 score from the judges.

In Round 2, Makhachev attempted another takedown against the cage but was unable to secure it. Both fighters exchanged strikes without landing anything significant until Makhachev connected with a powerful right hook that dropped Oliveira. Capitalizing on the opportunity, Makhachev swiftly transitioned to an arm triangle choke, forcing Oliveira to submit. With this victory, Makhachev ascended to the throne as the new lightweight champion.

Last updated on June 19, 2025

FAQs on Charles Oliveira Title Loss

A. Oliveira lost his belt due to not making the championship weight in his bout against Justin Gaethje at UFC 274.

A. Oliveira has the most finishes in the UFC, totaling 20 as of June 2025.

A. Islam Makhachev defeated Charles Oliveira via submission.

A. Charles Oliveira is scheduled to fight Ilia topuria in his next fight.

A. Charles Oliveira is 35 years old as of June 2025.

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