Justin Gaethje has congratulated rival Charles Oliveira after being choked out in the opening round of his UFC 274 title shot.
The American star was looking to become champion at 155lb at the second time of asking against Oliveira in Arizona last night. However he fell short once again after being choked out just beyond the midway point of the opening round.
Gaethje has since posted his first words since defeat on social media, tweeting: "Name of the game. Appreciate all the love. Congratulations to Charles Oliveira." The American star previously challenged for the 155lb title against Khabib Nurmagomedov in 2020 but was also by submission.
The American star had an opportunity to win the belt which was stripped from Oliveira after his challenger narrowly missed weight for the title clash. However he was unable to capitalise despite a fast start to the fight with the Brazilian using his superior skills on the ground once again.
Oliveira was thrilled with his display and called for a shot at returning star Conor McGregor for the vacant title. "There is something missing here. The champion has a name and it's Charles Oliveira," said the winner. "This is a message to the entire division; I am. a problem for the entire division. I am the enlighted, I am the champion, this is my title and it should be here.
"Dana White, I don't care [who I fight next], I'm not going to choose. Hey, Conor McGregor, are you going to come back or are you going to run away?" Gaethje gave Oliveira an early scare but was dropped by the powerful hands of the Brazilian who later pounced on his opportunity to stop the fight with a rear-naked choke.
The Brazilian extended his winning record to 11 consecutive fights but will now be forced to challenge for the vacant title after his misfortune earlier in the week. Oliveira suggested that despite being stripped of his honour, he will remain UFC champion beyond his latest victory. "The work the team puts in has paid off," he added after the contest.
"We always work on submissions and to see the legacy of submissions still going... the work really paid off. It just shows the champion has a name and it is Charles Oliveira. I went into the octagon to defend my title, I don't have to get it back. He's a guy who pushes forward and I push forward and I knew this was going to happen. I knew I was going to get hit and I knew I was going to get him. It all came down to who wanted it more. The champion is Charles Oliveira and that isn't going to change."
