Why was Charles Oliveira Stripped of the UFC Lightweight Title?

On May 6, 2022, Charles Oliveira faced a significant setback in his career when he was stripped of the UFC Lightweight title during UFC 274. This decision was taken due to his weight being slightly above the championship limit. Oliveira weighed in at 155.5 pounds, half a pound over the 155-pound limit, which led to him being declared ineligible to retain the title despite his victory in the first round by submission.

Rules and Consequences

The UFC has strict rules surrounding weight cutting for championship fights. Typically, missing the weight limit by a small margin can result in a forfeiture of a fighter's purse, with the opponent receiving 30% of the purse. However, in championship fights, the stakes are much higher. Even with this forfeiture, the rules must be followed to ensure fair play and competition.

Non-title fights in the Lightweight division allow a 1-pounds allowance, meaning fighters can weigh up to 156 pounds. In contrast, title fights have a strict 155-pound limit. When Charles Oliveira weighed in at 155.5 pounds, this half-pound overage was enough to disqualify him from retaining the title. The title was subsequently declared vacant, rendering the win meaningless in terms of retaining the championship.

The Incident Explained

Oliveira had just over an hour to shed the half-pound required to meet the weight limit. However, despite his best efforts, he was unable to meet the requirement in time, leading to the decision to strip him of the title. Despite this, Oliveira still managed to secure a first-round submission win over his opponent, Justin Gaethje.

Following the rules set forth by the athletic commission, Oliveira had to vacate the title, paving the way for Gaethje to receive a portion of Oliveira’s purse and become a contender for the championship. This situation is not unique, as it has occurred with other fighters, such as Deiveson Figueiredo, who missed the weight limit for his flyweight title fight in February 2020 by 2.5 pounds and was ineligible to win the title against Joe Benavidez. Similar to Oliveira’s case, Benavidez received 30% of Figueiredo’s purse and became eligible to win the title.

Conclusion and Reflection

The incident involving Charles Oliveira highlights the importance of adhering to weight cutting rules for championship fights in the UFC. While the fighting skills and performance on the day remain crucial, the discipline required to meet the weight limit cannot be overlooked. Oliveira’s win over Gaethje does not negate the rules and his temporary loss of the title serves as a reminder of the stringent requirements for championship contenders.

The Sporf community often debates the fairness of such strict weight limits and the impact on fighters’ health and performance, but these rules exist to maintain the integrity of the sport. Fighters like Oliveira, despite their talent, must strive to meet these criteria to compete for titles. In the end, as personal fans, we hope to see Oliveira comeback strong and once again reclaim his rightful title.