By Lourence Alturino
Image from MMA Fighting
Charles Oliveira may still be without his championship, but there is no dispute whatsoever that he is the best lightweight in the world. This fight only lasted one round and it was one very exciting one. Oliveira submitted Justin Gaethje via rear naked choke, but how did he do so? Lets break this one down.
Full Recap
Again, this fight was short, but there was lot that occurred. Charles hurts Justin at the very beginning of the fight with a big right hand. Gaethje would then knock down Oliveira twice, but elected not to go for the finish on the ground both times, which was the right thing to do against someone like Do Bronx.
Justin would start to get wild with his punches as he tends to do. Oliveira would then knock down Gaethje and they head to the ground. Charles attempts a reverse triangle choke, which Justin would eventually escape out of. As he escapes, Charles would get Justin's back and go for a rear naked choke. Gaethje tries his absolute hardest to get out of it, but it's too late and is forced to tap.
Final Thoughts
For Gaethje, this is a rough outing for him. Losing a title that only you can win in front of your hometown has to be a difficult pill to swallow. But, Gaethje is still at the top of the division. Therefore, I say the UFC should make Justin Gaethje vs Dustin Poirier 2.
Gaethje and Poirier are both coming off of submission losses to Oliveira, but are still at the top of the 155 division. They have already fought back in 2018 and while Poirier got the KO, Gaethje tore up Poirier's leg and was winning the fight. Both have extremely improved since then, so it will be an interesting rematch between two of the best lightweights on the planet.
The champ has a name and it's Charles Oliveira. Another fight where he was knocked down and came back to win. I will never doubt Charles Oliveira again. I have made that mistake three times in a row now and I promise not to do it again. Charles "Do Bronx" Oliveira is the best lightweight in the world and possibly the greatest lightweight ever? Time will tell, but he is right there next to Khabib Nurmagomedov for that conversation.
Fights to make after UFC 274:
- Charles Oliveira vs winner of Islam Machkachev/Beneil Dariush for the UFC Undisputed Lightweight Championship OR Oliveira vs Machkachev (if Dariush is unable to fight a reasonable time)
- Dustin Poirier vs Justin Gaethje 2
- Conor McGregor vs Michael Chandler
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