Charles Oliveira submits Justin Gaethje in 1st round of UFC lightweight bout, but loses title belt

PHOENIX — Charles Oliveira isn't the official champion. But he's the champion.

Oliveira, under extremely difficult circumstances, submitted Justin Gaethje via rear-naked choke just 3:22 into the first round of their lightweight battle at UFC 274 inside Footprint Center.

Oliveira (33-8) was scheduled to defend his title against Gaethje (23-4) on UFC 274, but was stripped of the belt instead after missing weight by one-half pound on Friday. It meant that going into Saturday, only Gaethje could win the belt. If Oliveira won, it would remain vacant.

If that had an impact on Oliveira's mindset, it was only a positive one. Oliveira was ultra aggressive from the opening bell. He staggered Gaethje, who is from Arizona, immediately with a right hand. He threw kicks to the body. Gaethje responded in kind. He dropped Oliveira twice in the very short fight, once with a left hook and again with a right. Both times he stepped back and allowed Oliveira to get up.

Oliveira even pulled guard at one point, but Gaethje backed off. It was a right hand down the middle though by Oliveira that dropped Gaethje again and was the beginning of the end. Oliveira follwed him to the floor, set up a triangle and then a rear-naked choke. Gaethje refused to tap and went unconscious.

It's unclear what will happen in the immediate aftermath. This situation has never happened in UFC history, a defending champion missing weight and losing the belt on the scale. UFC president Dana White told Oliveira immediately after the fight he is a No. 1 contender and not a champion, although the sport will certainly continue to see him as such.