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Despite Vacating Title, Charles Oliveira Declares Himself ‘Champion’ After UFC 274 Win

Charles Oliveira didn’t carry himself like someone who was stripped of the lightweight title following his first-round submission of Justin Gaethje in the UFC 274 main event.

“I went into the Octagon to defend the title,” Oliveira said through a translator at the UFC 274 post-fight press conference. “I don’t have to get it back. The champion is Charles Oliveira, and we all know that.”

Oliveira was undeniably impressive as he survived some heavy artillery from Gaethje early, then recovered to floor him with a right hand before submitting him with a rear-naked choke 3:22 into Round 1 of their bout at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Ariz., on Saturday night. Oliveira has won 11 consecutive fights in UFC competition and assured himself a spot in a fight for the now-vacant 155-pound belt in the future.

“He’s the guy,” UFC president Dana White said. “He didn’t make weight. We have rules, he didn’t make the weight, the belt is vacant. But I’m sure in th…

Brian Ortega, Yair Rodriguez Agree to Headlining Bout at UFC Event on July 16

A featherweight showdown between Brian Ortega and Yair Rodriguez has been targeted for the main event of a UFC card on July 16.

ESPN Deportes was first to report that both fighters have verbally agreed to the pairing. A location for the event has not been determined.

The 31-year-old Ortega is coming off a unanimous decision loss to Alexander Volkanovski in a 145-pound title bout at UFC 266 last September. “T-City” is 0-2 in championship fights, with a fourth-round stoppage loss to Max Holloway in December 2018 on his resume. Ortega is 15-2 as professional with notable wins over the likes of Chan Sung Jung, Frankie Edgar, Cub Swanson, Renato Carneiro and Clay Guida.

Rodriguez, meanwhile, last appeared at UFC Fight Night 197 this past November, when he dropped a five-round verdict against Holloway in his first bout since October 2019. The Mexican featherweight is 8-2 with one no contest in the Las Vegas-based promotion and owns notable triumph…

Israel Adesanya-Jared Cannonier Title Bout Official for UFC 276 Main Event

A long-rumored middleweight championship clash between Israel Adesanya and Jared Cannonier has an official date and location.

The promotion announced on Saturday that the fight will serve as the headliner for UFC 276 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on July 2. The card will also include a featherweight championship trilogy between Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway in the co-main event.

Adesanya will attempt to make his second successful title defense of 2022 after besting Robert Whittaker in a rematch in the UFC 271 headliner on Feb. 12. “The Last Stylebender” is 11-0 in UFC competition as a middleweight — including four successful championship defenses. His lone career defeat came in a move to 205 pounds, when he lost a decision to Jan Blachowicz in a light heavyweight title bout at UFC 259.

Cannonier enters the matchup with victories in five of his last six Octagon appearances. He rebounded from a decision loss to Whittaker at UFC 25…

Daniel Cormier Named to 2022 UFC Hall of Fame Class

Former two-division champion Daniel Cormier will be enshrined in the UFC Hall of Fame’s “Modern Wing” in a ceremony later this year.

The promotion announced Cormier’s induction during the UFC 274 broadcast on Saturday night. The ceremony will take place on Thursday, June 30 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas as part of the UFC’s International Fight Week festivities.

“Daniel Cormier is one of the most badass competitors of all time,” said UFC president Dana White. “‘DC’ faced the greatest athletes in the world on every level of wrestling and MMA. He is also the ultimate professional. As an active fighter, he always took time for the media, which led him to become one of the best TV analysts in all of sports. ‘DC’ is one of the greatest ambassadors UFC has ever had, and it’s going to be an honor to induct him into the UFC Hall of Fame this summer.”

Cormier is one of only four athletes in UFC history to be a simultaneous two-division champion. “…

UFC 274 Bonuses: Michael Chandler Earns $50K for Spectacular Front Kick KO

Michael Chandler padded his bank account on Saturday night with a knockout that ranks among the year’s best.

The former Bellator champion received a $50,000 “Performance of the Night” bonus after rendering Tony Ferguson unconscious with a spectacular front kick to the chin in their featured lightweight bout at UFC 274. After a competitive opening stanza, Chandler’s move abruptly halted the contest 17 seconds into Round 2, sending Ferguson face first into the canvas. It’s just one of nine front kick knockouts in promotion history.

Elsewhere, Brandon Royval and Matt Schnell garnered “Fight of the Night” honors and $50,000 apiece for a spirited flyweight scrap on the preliminary card. Schnell dropped Royval during an initial exchange, but after a series of scrambles, Royval jumped on a guillotine choke and elicited a tapout 2:14 into the opening round.

Finally, Andre Fialho pocketed the evening’s other $50,000 “Performance of the Night” check t…

Charles Oliveira Chokes Out Justin Gaethje at UFC 274, Lightweight Belt Remains Vacant

Charles Oliveira certainly didn’t fight like a man who had no chance of winning a belt.

Oliviera (33-8, 21-8 UFC) won his 11th consecutive bout in the UFC 274 headliner, submitting Justin Gaethje (23-4, 6-4 UFC) with a rear-naked choke 3:22 into the first round of their lightweight clash at the Footprint Arena in Phoenix, Ariz., on Saturday night. Because Oliveira missed weight by 0.5 pounds, the Ultimate Fighting Championship 155-pound title will remain vacant. However, “Do Bronx” is assured a spot in the next championship bout by virtue of his victory.

Oliveira, who now ranks fifth in promotion history with 21 career victories, was defiant in the aftermath of his latest effort.

“This is a message to the entire division,” he said. “I’m a problem for the entire division …. I’m the champion. This is my title. It should be here.”

The best LW in the world 🌎

[ @CharlesDoBronxs| #UFC274 ] pic.twitter.com/dwEB7NaZ0E Read more about Charles Oliveira Chokes Out Justin Gaethje at UFC 274, Lightweight Belt Remains Vacant

UFC 274 Prelims: Francisco Trinaldo Defies Age, Outduels Danny Roberts

43 & still going strong 💪

[ @MassarandubaMMA | #UFC274 ] pic.twitter.com/k25S4gi6nV

— UFC (@ufc) May 8, 2022

Even at 43 years old, Francisco Trinaldo still has plenty left in the tank.

The Brazilian veteran improved to 2-1 at 170 pounds, defeating Danny Roberts via unanimous decision in a preliminary welterweight bout at UFC 274 at Footprint Arena in Phoenix, Ariz., on Saturday night. All three judges submitted tallies in favor of the Evolucao Thai export: 29-28, 30-26, and 30-27. “Massaranduba” has won five of his last six appearances within the Las Vegas-based promotion.

Roberts had some success with rangy kickboxing techniques in the opening stanza, but he couldn’t match his opponent’s power in the long run. Trinaldo put “Hot Chocolate” on skates with a short right early in Round 2, and doubled him over with a body shot against the fence before spending much of the period in top position. Roberts (18-6, 7-…

Jon Jones Discusses Potential Target Date, Location for Stipe Miocic Fight

Hey look who it is!!!@JonnyBones #CES68 pic.twitter.com/Bs0HETER3u

— UFC FIGHT PASS (@UFCFightPass) May 7, 2022

Jon Jones has offered a little more insight into what might be delaying his rumored matchup against former UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic.

Jones appeared on the UFC Fight Pass broadcast for CES MMA 68 in Fargo, N.D., and discussed a potential date and location for his heavyweight debut. The ex-light heavyweight king was at the event to accompany training partner Maurice Greene.

“I heard originally it’d be July,” Jones said. “I think when Stipe got that date, I’ve heard he’s been doing a lot of weight-lifting and not a lot of MMA training. He wanted to put his best foot forward. I respect that. He’s a great champion. He deserves that. I think he asked for Sept. 24. I’m hoping that’s going to be in Las Vegas.

’ve been training about three times a day for about two years. I’m this close, why not wait …

Yoel Romero vs. Melvin Manhoef Rebooked for Bellator Dublin on Sept. 23

After his victory tonight, @YoelRomeroMMA has been rescheduled to face Melvin Manhoef (@team_manhoef) in Dublin on Fri., Sept 23 pic.twitter.com/Y1jaQzYPMe

— Bellator Public Relations (@BellatorPR) May 6, 2022

A light heavyweight clash pitting Yoel Romero against Melvin Manhoef as been rebooked for Bellator Dublin on Sept. 23.

The California-based promotion announced the matchup on Friday. Romero and Manhoef were initially slated to lock horns in the Bellator 280 co-main event, but Manhoef had to withdraw due to an injury suffered while apprehending three men who attempted to rob his home. “No Mercy” reportedly smashed the burglars car window with his hand, resulting in an injury that required stitches.

Bellator Dublin takes place at 3Arena in the Irish capital and is also expected to include a lightweight clash between Benson Henderson and Peter Queally. The evening’s main card will air on Showtime.

Romero remain…

Kayla Harrison Dominates Marina Mokhnatkina in PFL Main Event

Two-time Professional Fighters League women’s lightweight champion Kayla Harrison was dominant once again, but her performance in the PFL 3 Regular Season main event on Friday wasn’t up to snuff and she was blunt about it.

Still, Harrison won virtually every second of her contest against Marina Mokhnatkina (6-3) and took home three points in the PFL women’s lightweight season bracket, winning a lopsided unanimous decision along the way. Harrison landed a few takedowns in the fight and dished out more than enough punishment on the feet, but Mokhnatkina was slick and continuously tried rolling the two-time Olympic gold medal-winning judoka into various leg locks.

Harrison never truly had Mokhnatkina in any serious peril, but she nullified every attack the Miami-based fighter tried. As the fight wore away, it was obvious that Harrison was frustrated and tried scoring a stoppage late, but Mokhnatkina was hip to her attacks and survived. All three judges…

PFL 3 2022 Regular Season Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring

The 2022 Professional Fighters League Season continues Friday at 5:30 p.m. ET.

Check out the MMA Forums to discuss the card or enter your comments and predictions below.

Round 1 Round 2 Round 3 The Official Result Round 1 Round 2 Round 3 The Official Result Round 1 Round 2 Round 3 The Official Result Round 1 Round 2 Round 3 The Official Result Round 1 Round 2 Round 3 The Official Result Round 1 Round 2 Round 3 The Official Result Round 1 Round 2 Round 3 The Official Result Round 1 Round 2 Round 3 The Official Result Round 1 Round 2 Round 3 The Official Result Round 1 Round 2 Round 3 The Official Result Round 1 Round 2 Round 3 The Official Result

Ryan Bader Cruises Against Cheick Kongo to Retain Heavyweight Crown at Bellator 280

It wasn’t the ending the Parisian crowd was expecting for Bellator MMA’s return to France.

In the Bellator 280 main event, Ryan Bader and Cheick Kongo battled for the heavyweight championship for the second time following their no-contest in September 2019. A few moments into the fight, it seemed that history was about to repeat itself as Bader (30-7, 1 NC; 8-2, 1 NC Bellator) landed a knee to the groin while clinching with Kongo, who needed a few minutes to recover. Once the action resumed, it was pretty clear that former divisional champion Kongo (31-12-2, 13-4 Bellator) couldn’t match his opponent’s wrestling pedigree. Thanks to relentless double-leg takedowns and suffocating ground control, Bader kept his prey on the canvas for five rounds, landing a few strikes from time to time to prevent any kind of resistance. The Frenchman struggled to resurge on the feet, but managed to contain damage. Ultimately, the cageside judges delivered 50-45, 50-45 and 50-45 scorecards fo…

Bellator 280 ‘Bader vs. Kongo 2’ Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring

Sherdog's live Bellator 280 coverage kicks off at 1 p.m. ET.

Check out the MMA Forums to discuss the card or enter your comments and predictions below.

UFC 274 ‘Oliveira vs. Gaethje’ Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring

Sherdog's live UFC 274 “Oliveira vs. Gaethje” coverage will begin Saturday at 5:30 p.m. ET.

Check out the MMA Forums to discuss the card or enter your comments and predictions below.

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Garcia (-150), Newson (+130)Round 1 Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round:Ben Duffy scores the round:Tristen Critchfield scores the round:Round 2 Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round:Ben Duffy scores the round:Tristen Critchfield scores the round: Round 3 Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round:Ben Duffy scores the round:Tristen Critchfield scores the round:The Official Result BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Godinez (-170), Carnelossi (+150)Round 1 Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round:Ben Duffy scores the round:Tristen Critchfield scores the round:Round 2 Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round:Ben Duffy scores the round:Tristen Critchfield scores the round:Round 3 Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry sc…

UFC Releases Statement on Historic Charles Oliveira Weight Miss Ahead of UFC 274

.@UFC provides an update on the #UFC274 main event between Charles Oliveira and Justin Gaethje.https://t.co/Z3iB2GDaWj

— UFC News (@UFCNews) May 6, 2022 The Ultimate Fighting Championship felt the need to clear the air directly following the shocking turn of events on Friday morning.

Ahead of the UFC 274 main event, lightweight champ Charles Oliveira missed championship weight, hitting the scales at 155.5 pounds. He still weighed this number after receiving an additional hour to cut weight, and as a result, the UFC had to act accordingly. Oliveira is still set to take on Justin Gaethje in the headliner slot, and the title fight now has substantially different implications depending on the outcome. The promotion released a statement following the weigh-ins to clarify what can happen on Saturday night.

“Charles Oliveira missed weight for his UFC 274 main event bout against Justin Gaethje on Friday afternoon in Phoenix, w…

UFC 274 Weigh-in Results: Charles Oliveira Loses Lightweight Title on the Scale

Charles Oliveira (@CharlesDoBronxs) #UFC274 Official Weight: 155.5

All Weigh-In Results: https://t.co/fAMu27WDxd

— UFC News (@UFCNews) May 6, 2022 Charles Oliveira's lightweight title run comes to an embarrassing end, as the Ultimate Fighting Championship lightweight champion failed to make weight for his UFC 274 title defense against Justin Gaethje.

The drama began as Oliveira missed weight during his initial weigh-in by .5 pounds, which came as a surprise considering the Brazilian posted on social media on Friday morning that his weight was on point. "Do Bronx" then took an extra hour to cut weight, but once again weighed in half a pound over championship weight. As a result, Oliveira is stripped of the title, and only Gaethje can walk out as champion on Saturday night.

Thankfully, there was no issue in the co-main event, which sees Rose Namajunas put her strawweight belt on the line against former champion Carla E…

Arman Tsarukyan vs. Mateusz Gamrot in the Works for UFC Fight Night on June 25

I want to fight the best in the world, you are one of them. Let’s go 👊 https://t.co/dbll5UoVRr

— Mateusz Gamrot (@gamer_mma) April 3, 2022 When the dust settles after this Ultimate Fighting Championship lightweight matchup, one man should vault himself into the top 10.

Polish outlet Polsat Sport announced on Thursday that Arman Tsarukyan (18-2) and Mateusz Gamrot (20-1, 1 NC) would toe the line on June 25. The event, likely to be titled UFC Fight Night 208, is expected to go down inside the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. These two lightweights will serve high on the billing, with a card that does not currently hold a headliner. Both men have posted about the fight on their respective social media pages, which is one they have been angling for since the beginning of April. The promotion’s broadcast partner of ESPN noted that the ink has not yet dried on the contracts, but that it is being put together.

Tsarukyan made his company …

PFL 3 Weigh-in Results: Cooper, Fabian Miss Weight Badly

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3Dk2CLz-4I&w=640&h=360] The welterweight bracket of Professional Fighters League's tournament is off to a rollicking start before any fight has begun.

The PFL continues its 2022 regular season with a card primarily comprised of welterweight and women's lightweight bouts, with a dash of Anthony Pettis thrown in for good measure. PFL 3 is headlined by a women's lightweight bout between two-time champion Kayla Harrison and sizeable underdog Marina Mokhnatkina.

While both headliners made weight, Ray Cooper III and Genah Fabian were not as successful on the scale. Cooper clocked in at 176.4 pounds, or 5.4 pounds heavy for his welterweight match, while Fabian (160.8) tipped the scales at 4.8 pounds above the lightweight limit. Both fighters have been penalized one point in the standings, and they will not be eligible to earn any points on Friday even if they win. The fights will continue, and their opponents autom…

Alexander Volkanovski-Max Holloway Trilogy Match Targeted for UFC 276 on July 2

pic.twitter.com/8NVJvunK4i

— Max Holloway (@BlessedMMA) May 5, 2022 The only trilogy in Ultimate Fighting Championship featherweight history is set to conclude this July.

On Wednesday night, Ariel Helwani brought word that the promotion was aiming to put together Alexander Volkanovski (24-1) vs. Max Holloway (23-6) part three in July. Helwani’s dates included July 2 or July 30, and on Thursday, MMA Junkie broke that UFC 276 on July 2 would play host to the much-anticipated matchup. Both Holloway and Volkanovski have confirmed that the contracts have been signed and the fight is on.

Volkanovski, who is up two wins to zero against Holloway in their series thus far, has prevailed in his last 21 appearances. “The Great” first claimed the strap from Holloway in 2019, defended it against Holloway in an automatic rematch in 2022, and has subsequently staved off a pair of challengers. In 2021, Volkanovski outworked Brian Orte…

Bellator 280 Weigh-in Results: Heavyweight Title Fight Official

⚖️ Weigh-ins are a wrap!

Don't miss the early fights 𝓣𝓸𝓶𝓸𝓻𝓻𝓸𝔀.

Bader 🆚 Kongo 2 | ꜱᴘᴇᴄɪᴀʟ ꜱᴛᴀʀᴛ ᴛɪᴍᴇ | Friday Morning, 10am PT/1pm ET 🕙#Bellator280 #BellatorParis pic.twitter.com/CUCWQ9wwjY — BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) May 5, 2022 Bellator MMA's return to Paris is set after a successful Bellator 280 weigh-in that saw all fighters make weight.

Headlining the promotion's second mixed martial arts card in France is a heavyweight title rematch between Ryan Bader and Cheick Kongo. The duo's first meeting, which came back in 2019, ended as a no contest after an accidental eye poke. Now, Kongo will get a second shot at championship gold.

Bader (29-7, 1 NC) has had an up-and-down career since the no contest, having lost his light heavyweight belt to Vadim Nemkov and suffering a 51-second knockout to Corey Anderson. However, Bader also won a five-round decision over Lyoto Machida, and unified the heavyweight straps again…

Rafael dos Anjos vs. Rafael Fiziev Rebooked for UFC Fight Night Main Event on July 9

Credit: Getty/UFC Credit: Getty/UFC

A rescheduled lightweight clash between Rafael dos Anjos and Rafael Fiziev is nearly finalized as the headliner for a UFC Fight Night event on July 9.

ESPN was first to report the bout, which was previously scheduled for UFC 272 before Fiziev had to withdraw due to a positive COVID-19 test. The card does not have an official location or venue.

After Riziev’s exit, dos Anjos remained on the UFC 272 card and took a five-round decision against Renato Carneiro. The former 155-pound champion has won two straight bouts since returning to the division following a 4-4 stint at welterweight.

Fiziev will take a five-bout Octagon winning streak into the showdown with dos Anjos. The Tiger Muay Thai representative authored a spectacular finish in his last outing, defeating Brad Riddell with a spinning wheel kick at UFC on ESPN 31 on Dec. 4.

Thiago Santos vs. Jamahal Hill to Headline UFC Fight Night Event on Aug. 6

A light heavyweight scrap pitting Thiago Santos against Jamahal Hill will headline the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s Aug. 6 event.

MMAjunkie.com was first to report the booking. The card doesn’t yet have a location or venue, and no other fights have been confirmed at this time.

A former middleweight who found his greatest success at 205 pounds, Santos enters the matchup with Hill having lost four of his last five promotional appearances. Most recently, “Marreta” dropped a five-round verdict to Magomed Ankalaev in the UFC Fight Night 203 main event.

The 30-year-old Hill has lost just once in six UFC bouts. The Dana White’s Contender Series alum rebounded from that setback at the hands of Paul Craig with back-to-back first-round KO wins against Jimmy Crute at UFC on ESPN 31 and against Johnny Walker at UFC Fight Night 201.

Ex-UFC Champ Cody Garbrandt Returns to Bantamweight, Meets Rani Yahya on July 9

After a quick stint at flyweight, Cody Garbrandt is returning to the division where he captured championship gold.

Garbrandt and Rani Yahya have agreed to square off in a bantamweight bout at the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s July 9 event. MMAFighting.com was first to report the pairing, and Garbrandt confirmed the fight booking on his Instagram Stories on Thursday. The card doesn’t yet have an announced venue, but the main event will see Rafael dos Anjos and Rafael Fiziev finally handle their business at 155 pounds.

Garbrandt dropped to 125 pounds for a matchup with Kai Kara France at UFC 269, where he fell via technical knockout 3:21 into the opening round. Dating back to November 2017, when he relinquished the bantamweight crown to T.J. Dillashaw at UFC 217, “No Love” has lost five of his last six promotional appearances. The 30-year-old Team Alpha Male representative began his pro career with 11 consecutive triumphs.

Yahya is coming…

Rafael dos Anjos, Gilbert Burns Break Down UFC 274 Main Event

In the past, Rafael dos Anjos and Gilbert Burns have been close to facing lightweight champion and fellow Brazilian Charles Oliveira in the UFC.

Now they’ll watch as he defends his lightweight crown against Justin Gaethje in the UFC 274 main event at Footprint Arena in Phoenix, Ariz., on Saturday night.

"I respect Charles a lot, but now he has what I want. I´m sixth in UFC rankings, and if I win one more fight I hope I can challenge him,” dos Anjos told Sherdog.com.

Before he moved to 170 pounds, Burns had designs on squaring off with “Do Bronx,” as well.

"When I was in the lightweight division, I asked the UFC to face him,” Burns said. "He defeated three of my training partners in a row: Nick Lentz, Jared Gordon and Michael Chandler. I was already getting used to being in the corner opposite Oliveira, but on Saturday it will be different. Finally I´ll be able to cheer for him.”

Dos Anjos and Burns have different views r…

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