Rafael Fiziev and the rest of the lightweight division are left without a king.
This would come as the cost for champ Charles Oliveira missing weight by 0.5lbs at UFC 274. After several attempts to make the weight, ‘Do Bronx’ would ultimately have his title stripped as a result.
Conspiracy
Of course, this wouldn’t be without controversy. Multiple fighters would blame the scales, thinking they had been tampered with. Oliveira apparently made weight backstage but it was a different story when it came to the official scale. Along with others, lightweight contender Rafael Fiziev believed the situation to be ‘bullsh*t’.
“I hear from fighters who fight at same event from when this happened. Everyone told me they had problems with [weight] scale,” Fiziev told Middle Easy in a recent interview. “Everyone say some problem. I can’t believe he not make weight. He never missed weight, I think. I don’t believe he missed his weight. But this is what it is.”
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‘He’s Still Champion’
Fiziev understands why Oliveira had to be stripped of the belt, but still believes him to be the champion.
“This happens and the UFC take his belt. This is good rules,” Fiziev continued. “If somebody don’t make weight, the UFC takes the belt back. This is good rules. But here, you have some problems with the scales, that’s bullsh*t. But he’s still champion. For me, he’s still champion.”
‘I’m Not Surprised, M’fers’
Fiziev was like Nate Diaz after the UFC 274 main event. He wasn’t surprised that Oliveira quickly submitted Gaethje in the opening round.
“It’s not a surprise for when Gaethje lost. Not a surprise.”
