“He was on weight” Beneil Dariush explains controversy behind Charles Oliveira losing his belt to the weight scale at UFC 274


“He was on weight” Beneil Dariush explains controversy behind Charles Oliveira losing his belt to the weight scale at UFC 274

Beneil Dariush weighs in on UFC stripping Charles Oliveira of the title

Beneil Dariush reacts to the uneventful start to UFC 274 fight between Charles Oliveira and Justin Gaethje. The top lightweight contender believes ‘do Bronx’ made weight leading up to the fight.

ADVERTISEMENT

The headliner fight between Charles Oliveira and Justin Gaethje met with an upset two days prior to the actual event when the Brazilian champ couldn’t make weight at the official weigh-ins. Oliveira was taxed with the belt for being 0.5 pounds overweight for his 155-pound championship bout. That was the first time in the history of the promotion where a champ lost his belt to the weighing scale.

However, Charles and his team came out claiming that there was an error in calibration backstage where fighters initially check their weight before getting on to the actual weigh-in stage. Beneil Dariush, the leading title contender is probably only a step away from getting his shot at the title recently spoke to ESPN MMA and gave his thoughts on the drama at UFC 274.

“I know a lot of people say Charles got screwed,” said Dariush talking to Brett Okamoto of ESPN MMA. “I feel bad for Charles. It wasn’t good thing for him. I’m sure Charles did his thing and he wasn’t going to miss half a pound. He’s not trying to give up his purse. I am sure he was on weight,” said Beneil who reveals he believes Oliveira made weight backstage.

ADVERTISEMENT

Related Reports: Popular combat sports attorney explains implications of Charles Oliveira missing weight at UFC 274

Beneil Dariush explains why the UFC stripped Oliveira of the belt

Beneil Dariush
Beneil Dariush

A lot of questions were raised from critics as to why the belt was still at stake when Oliveira did not make weight. The scenario was such that if Justin Gaethje had beaten Oliveira he would be crowned the new champ but Charles, irrespective of the result would not be able to take the lightweight belt home.

“I know a lot of people say he shouldn’t have been stripped but here’s the problem. If you don’t strip Charles, you can’t give Gaethje the belt if he won. That was the issue,” explained Dariush on why the UFC was forced to strip Oliveira of the lightweight belt. Dariush is currently recovering from an injury. His return will most likely be a title contender fight and a win could see him fighting for the title.

Watch the full interview of ESPN MMA below:

ADVERTISEMENT

Also read “All these guys are just food”- Beneil Dariush puts the entire division on notice as he prepares for his comeback

“Wash your mouth” – Marvin Vettori defends his training partner Beneil Dariush from online hate