The Octagon returns to Phoenix for tonight’s UFC 274 event, a fifteen-bout fight card headlined by Charles Oliveira vs. Justin Gaethje.
Oliveira (32-8 MMA) missed weight by half a pound yesterday and was thus forced to relinquish his UFC lightweight title as well as a portion of his fight purse. In addition, ‘Do Bronx’ is no longer eligible to obtain the promotions vacant 155lbs strap this evening. Charles Oliveira will enter the contest on a ten-fight winning streak, his latest being a submission victory over Dustin Poirier.
As for Justin Gaethje (22-3 MMA), ‘The Highlight’ can still capture the UFC’s undisputed lightweight world title with a victory. Gaethje most recently competed in November of 2021, where he earned a thrilling ‘FOTY’ victory over Michael Chandler.
UFC 274 is co-headlined by a women’s strawweight title fight rematch featuring Rose Namajunas taking on Carla Esparza.
Namajunas (11-4 MMA) and Esparza (18-6 MMA) previously met back in December of 2014, where it was ‘Cookie Monster’ who came out the victor by way of submission.
‘Thug Rose’ will enter the contest sporting a three-fight winning streak, her latest being a decision victory (split) over Weili Zhang to retain her strawweight world title.
Meanwhile, Carla Esparza currently boasts a five-fight winning streak, her most recent being a TKO victory over Yan Xiaonan. The UFC’s inaugural strawweight champion has not tasted defeat since 2018.
If that wasn’t enough, tonight’s UFC 274 event also features a lightweight scrap between Michael Chandler and Tony Ferguson.
Tony Ferguson (25-6 MMA), a former interim lightweight champion, has not competed since suffering a lopsided decision loss to Beneil Dariush at May’s UFC 262 event. That loss served as the third in a row for ‘El Cucuy’, who previously suffered defeats to Justin Gaethje and Charles Oliveira respectively.
Michael Chandler (22-7 MMA), meanwhile, last competed at November’s UFC 268 event, where he was defeated by Justin Gaethje in a thrilling back and forth war. That setback was of course preceded by a title fight loss to Charles Oliveira at UFC 262.
Get all of tonight’s ‘Oliveira vs. Gaethje’ Live Results and Highlights below:
UFC 274 MAIN CARD (Pay-per-view, 10pm EST)
Charles Oliveira vs. Justin Gaethje – Oliveira def. Gaethje via submission (RNC) in Round 1
Rose Namajunas vs. Carla Esparza – Esparza def. Namajunas by split decision (47-48, 49-46, 48-47)
Michael Chandler vs. Tony Ferguson – Chandler def. Ferguson via KO at :17 of Round 2
Mauricio Rua vs. Ovince Saint Preux – Saint Preux def. Rua by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)
Randy Brown vs. Khaos Williams – Brown def. Williams by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Donald Cerrone vs. Joe Lauzon – Cancelled
UFC 274 PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN/ESPN+, 8pm EST)
Francisco Trinaldo vs. Danny Roberts – (29-28, 30-26, 30-27)
Macy Chiasson vs. Norma Dumont – Chiasson def. Dumont by split decision (30-27, 28-29, 30-27)
Brandon Royval vs. Matt Schnell – Royval def. Schnell via submission (guillotine choke) at 2:14 of Round 1
https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1523101965206851588
Blagoy Ivanov vs. Marcos Rogerio de Lima – Ivanov def. De Lima by unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
UFC 274 EARLY PRELIMS (ESPN+, 5:30pm EST)
Andre Fialho vs. Cameron VanCamp – Fialho def. VanCamp via KO (punch) at 2:35 of Round 1
https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1523087242004107264
Tracy Cortez vs. Melissa Gatto – Cortez def. Gatto by unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
Kleydson Rodrigues vs. CJ Vergara – Vergara def. Rodrigues by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Ariane Carnelossi vs. Loopy Godinez – Godinez def. Carnelossi by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26 x2)
Fernie Garcia vs. Journey Newson – Newson def. Garcia by unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 29-28)
Who are you picking to win tonight’s UFC 274 fights?