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PHOENIX — One of the UFC’s most popular and dynamic weight classes takes center stage Saturday, with Charles Oliveira (32-8) preparing to step into the Octagon against Justin Gaethje (23-3) in the main event UFC 274 inside Footprint Center. However, Oliveira missed weight Friday, resulting in him getting stripped of the lightweight title. Gaethje, who made weight Friday, is eligible to win the title Saturday night.
Gaethje, of Arizona, is a former interim champion, whose only loss in the last four years came against Khabib Nurmagomedov in the Dagestani’s final fight. Up until the missed weight, Oliveira had done a tremendous job stepping into the role as champion, recording exciting finishes against Michael Chandler and Dustin Poirier.
In the co-main event, strawweight champion Rose Namajunas (11-4) and Carla Esparza (18-6) will meet in a rematch of the first strawweight title fight in UFC history in 2014. Esparza won the initial meeting by submission.
And fan favorites Chandler (22-7) and Tony Ferguson (25-6) could steal the spotlight from the main and co-main events.
Follow Brett Okamoto and Jeff Wagenheim with for live updates below or watch the fights on ESPN+ PPV.
Fight in progress: Welterweight: Randy Brown (14-4, 8-4 UFC, -105) vs. Khaos Williams (13-2, 4-1 UFC, -115)
Results:
Welterweight: Francisco Trinaldo (28-8, 18-7 UFC) def. Danny Roberts (18-6, 7-5 UFC) by unanimous decision
Recap to come.
Women’s featherweight: Macy Chiasson (9-2, 6-2 UFC) def. Norma Dumont (7-2, 3-2 UFC) by split decision (Watch on ESPN+)
The UFC has a women’s featherweight champion, Amanda Nunes, but not much of a 145-pound division. So when two successful fighters who look suited for that weight class meet, the stakes can be more immediately reachable than in other divisions.
Such was the case in this fight, which was booked as a featherweight match before Dumont…
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Source : espn
