Was Charles Oliveira Stripped Off His Belt?

Charles Oliveira has been stripped off his UFC lightweight belt after he was found to be a half-pound too heavy for his title defense on Saturday.

Charles Oliveira lost his UFC lightweight belt after he tipped the scales a little too much during the weigh-in for his title defense on May 7 as part of UFC 274.20

Oliveira came in at 155.5 pounds, half a pound too heavy for the 155-pound division. He was given an hour to drop the excess weight but was unable to do so.

It’s the first time a UFC champion has lost a title due to missing the division weight.

Oliveira won the vacant lightweight belt in May of last year, after defeating Michael Chandler in UFC 262 via technical knockout. He then successfully defended his title against Dustin Poirier by submission in UFC 269 which was held in December.

The fight between Oliveira and Justin Gaethje will still be held, but only the American will be eligible to win the title. If the Brazilian prevails, the belt will remain vacant.