Can Justin Gaethje End Charles Oliveira’s 10-Fight Win Streak at UFC 274?

The former Interim UFC Lightweight Champion, Justin Gaethje will take on Charles Oliveira for the UFC lightweight championship belt at the upcoming event of UFC 274, in May.

Charles Oliveira is currently one of the most impressive fighters on the UFC roster. The Brazilian lightweight currently holds the record for having the most submission wins in the UFC. Not only that, he also holds the record for having the most finishes in the UFC, 18 finishes.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JULY 10: UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira arrives at T-Mobile Arena during the UFC 264 event on July 10, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)|GettyImages

After 39 professional fights, ‘Do Bronx’ has landed himself the championship belt. He has defended it flawlessly against Dustin Poirier, one of the deadliest fighters in the promotion. Justin Gaethje will be the second fighter in the UFC to challenge the Brazilian for his lightweight gold.

Does Justin Gaethje have the tools needed to beat the champion?

Gaethje is currently the number one contender in the lightweight division for a reason. He was a former NCAA Division I wrestler, who started wrestling at the age of just four. After he started competing in MMA, Justin’s striking has come a long way. His most recent fight against Michael Chandler is a testament to the same.

Justin Gaethje has now been training with the reigning welterweight champion, Kamaru Usman, under their coach Trevor Wittman. Wittman is an outstanding coach and his pupils Rose Namajunas and Kamaru Usman are currently both UFC champions. The tactics which he will bring in for the fight at UFC 274 can really be his strength.

Usman is one of the greatest wrestlers in the UFC and since Gaethje has been sparring with him, he will have an edge over Oliveira on the wrestling front.

Gaethje has the correct tools to beat Oliveira, which is great striking ability and strong wrestling technique. The only thing he needs to be aware of is Oliveira’s ability to get him into a compromising position which can lead to a submission.

READ MORE: Charles “do Bronx” Oliveira: The Heart-Rending Story Behind Charles Oliveira’s Nickname “Do Bronx”

Can Charles Oliveira defend his belt?

There is no one more skilled in the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu than Charles Oliveira in the UFC. His incredible skills and technique has got him to where he is today and his slick use of Jiu-Jitsu is a nightmare for any opponent in the octagon. If Charles Oliveira gets on Gaethje’s back, the fight can be over in seconds.

Oliveira is super quick with his submissions and the opponent is mostly too late to have any options left when he gets his lock-in.

The only way that Oliveira can lose this fight is if Justin connects with a deadly punch, which we know that he is capable of. Overall, Charles Oliveira seems in much better form than Gaethje right now.

To add to this Justin Gaethje once called Oliveira a ‘fool’ after the Brazilian called him fake for congratulating him when he beat Poirier. ‘The Highlight’ said, “it’s called respect you fool and we are in the breaking faces business. My respect that night was just as real as my intention to take everything from you in your country.”

Charles Oliveira & Justin Gaethje: Fight Record

ROCHESTER, NY – MAY 18: Charles Oliveira stands in the octagon during a lightweight bout against Nik Lentz at Blue Cross Arena on May 18, 2019 in Rochester, New York. Oliveira defeats Lentz in the second-round by TKO. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)

Charles Oliveira currently holds a professional MMA record of 32 wins and 8 losses. He has had impressive victories over Michael Chandler, Dustin Poirier, and Tony Ferguson. 20 of his 32 wins have been via submission.

Justin Gaethje currently boasts a professional MMA record of 23 wins and 3 losses. He also holds impressive wins over Michael Chandler and Tony Ferguson. 19 of his 23 wins have been via knockout.

WATCH THIS STORY: Insane stats and records held by Charles Oliveira

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