Is Charles Oliveira a Quitter? Why Did Title Challenger Justin Gaethje Call Him That Before UFC 274?

Justin Gaethje and Charles Oliveira will clash against each other in one of the most awaited lightweight title fights. This bout will headline UFC 274 at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona, on 7th May 2022. 

‘The Highlight’ is currently the number one lightweight contender. He recently bounced back into the win column after defeating the former Bellator champion Michael Chandler at UFC 268. 

On the other hand, ‘Do Bronx’ is currently on an amazing ten-fight undefeated streak. He won the UFC title for the first time in his career by defeating Chandler via a knockout at UFC 262 in 2021. Later, he made his first successful title defense by stopping the former interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier via submission later in the same year. 

The Brazilian fighter has shown stunning improvements in his performances since 2017. He has made his mark in the 155lbs division with back-to-back dominant wins. However, this has still not impressed the challenger Justin Gaethje.

Why did Justin Gaethje call Charles Oliveira a “Quitter”?

Even though ‘Do Bronx’ has bagged some amazing wins against notable names in the UFC, ‘The Highlight’ isn’t letting him forget about previous losses. Gaethje believed Oliveira wasn’t the right prospect to fight for the vacant lightweight title.

Ahead of Oliviera’s first title defense, Gaethje predicted Poirier will defeat the champion. Not only that, but he also claimed to beat the champion if he ever faced him inside the octagon.

“I’m in a great position. I don’t have to win eight in a row. I’ve got to win one in a row. So if he wins, I would love to fight Charles Oliveira, because I will show you what I’m saying.” Gaethje said in the UFC Unfiltered Episode 527.

“He’s a quitter. He showed it to you in the Michael Chandler fight. At the end of the first round, he was not looking good. He didn’t want to be there. He doesn’t want to be there when it gets nasty. That’s just what I think, that’s my opinion. And Poirier is going to beat him up.” Gaethje concluded.

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Charles Oliveira’s past record which might prove the “Quitter” title

‘Do Bronx’ is an MMA veteran. He has a professional fighting record of 32-8 (1 NC) under his name. He has 29 finishes under his name, nine wins via a knockout, and a stunning twenty wins via submission.

The Brazilian was an undefeated fighter before entering the UFC. However, he faced a few losses during his time in the UFC. Oliveira has lost a total of eight fights in his career.

From the eight losses that Oliviera has suffered, four have come via a knockout, one via decision, and three via submission. That means the lightweight champion has tapped out only three times in his career.

Is he really a Quitter?

As Oliveira’s record shows, he has lost only three-fight via tapping out. Compared to the number of his wins in the UFC, his losses are very less. And from that, Oliveira has quit, which means tapped out only three times. Hence, he cannot be billed as a quitter for only three losses. Moreover, his career wins have hugely overshadowed his losses.

Watch This Story: Five Times Charles Oliveira Obliterated His Opponents Inside The Octagon

How did Charles Oliveira respond back to Justin Gaethje?

‘The Highlight’ repeatedly slammed the lightweight champion and called him a “quitter” for his previous few losses. However, the Brazilian had a befitting reply for the challenger.

“Those who think I’m a quitter, tell them to earn it, win their fights and come get it.” The Brazilian champion said in an interview.

What are your thoughts on Gaethje’s words? Do you think the champion Oliveira is a quitter or not? Let us know in the comments below.