UFC 274: Oliveira to break his own subs win record with another over Gaethje

Oliveira v Gaethje
Sunday, 06:00
Live on BT Sport

UFC returns to Arizona

This weekend, UFC 274 will be fought out before a capacity crowd at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona, with millions more worldwide watching the action on TV.

A competitive card awaits with a hotly-anticipated lightweight bout involving Charles Oliveira and Justin Gaetghje acting as the main event. Oliveira is the current UFC champion, while opponent Gaethje ranks as the former king.

By the end of this contest, we will have a clear picture of who the number one MMA fighter at lightweight is, but you can get in early and make your predictions at Betfair, where you'll find the fight winner betting and specials.

Do Bronx is the current champion

Brazilian Oliveira - nicknamed Do Bronx - is the current keeper of the UFC championship belt and holder of multiple records. The 32-year-old boasts the most wins by submission in UFC history, with his current tally sitting at 15.

He also carries into the octagon the organisation's most finishes on 18. Supporters hope the number five ranked pound for pound fighter in the UFC will boost those stats in Arizona.

The only numbers that matter are those on his professional record, and he approaches this contest with a CV detailing 32 wins against eight defeats. His victories consist of 20 by submission, nine by KO and three by decision, having fought on several MMA promotions before being signed by UFC.

Oliveira has won each of his last 10 outings and was last seen beating Dustin Poirier by submission on UFC 269 in Las Vegas at the end of 2021. As well as defending his title, Charles was awarded a performance of the night bonus.

Oliveira is now 1.664/6 on the Betfair Exchange to pick up another victory, or you can back him in the method of victory. A submission is 3.052/1, KO/TKO 9.08202/25, while a victory on the judges' scorecards is 6.06253/50.

Highlight wants the title back

Gaethje is a 33-year-old American from Safford, Arizona and a former UFC lightweight champion. He will be backed by a vocal home support that will pack the venue as The Highlight aims to return to the top of the division.

Will he achieve that, ending the night as a UFC ruler to delight the thousands in Phoenix or will his wait continue?

Despite not holding the belt at present, Gaethje is the number one ranked lightweight and will believe he has the skills, speed and strength to show why. His professional MMA card consists of 23 wins against three defeats, with 19 of his victories coming by way of knockout, three on points and the spare by submission.

Those stats show exactly the kind of fighter Gaethje is and gives casual followers of MMA an idea of what to expect from him on fight night. Justin is an all-action sort, but he was beaten by Khabib Nurmagomedov in Abu Dhabi on UFC 254, losing the lightweight championship.

He has appeared only once since, beating Michael Chandler by unanimous decision on UFC 268.

The pre-fight betting attached to this bout has Gaethje priced at 2.486/4 for what would be the biggest win of his career. In the method of victory, a bet on another KO/TKO will net you 3.211/5 while the submission is 5049/1 and a points win 109/1.

Oliveira will add to his record

There's no shame in Gaethje losing to Khabib, as any follower of UFC will appreciate, but the challenger has lost three of his last eight and failed to hear the final bell in those losses. Oliveira is a completely different animal, and we'll see him make a successful defence of his title.

Oliveira's last win was by submission in round three, while Gaethje's most recent defeat came by the same method. We don't expect this one to go the distance and are backing Oliveira to win. Therefore, it makes sense to take him to add to his submission record.