PHOENIX — For the second time in his is UFC career Safford native, Justin
Gaethje, will get a shot at the UFC Lightweight belt. On Saturday, May 7th, he
will lock up with current champion Charles Oliveira in downtown Phoenix at UFC
274.
The circumstances are even close to the first title shot that Gaethje
experienced. The first shot came on the other side of the globe in Abu Dhabi.
Gaethje joked at this week’s media day that he didn’t see the sun for 12 days
in Abu Dhabi and he sees it every day in Phoenix. The atmosphere will be a bit
different as well as Gaethje fights just three hours from his hometown of
Safford.
Oliveira (32-8) won the Lightweight belt in December 2021 with a 3rd round
submission win over Dustin Poirier. Gaethje (24-3) win via unanimous decision
last time out in November 2021 over Michael Chandler which was named the 2021
Fight of the Year. Oliveira has the most submission wins in UFC history with 15
and the most finishes in UFC history with 18. Gaethje is the first fighter to
earn a post-fight bonus in each of their first seven UFC fights.
“This is the same Charles that we’ve seen fight Cub Swanson, Pettis,
RDA,” said Gaethje. “Choices were made by Charles in those fights. It
was the choice to quit and I’m going to give him that same choice on Saturday
night, I guarantee that.”
UFC 274 Main Card starts at 7pm on Saturday night and is available on ESPN+
Pay-Per-View.
