Charles Oliveira became the first UFC champion to be stripped of the title after missing weight on Friday. The fight will go on but he can't win the belt, but Justin Gaethje can. See the Oliveira vs Gaethje odds below.
The UFC lightweight crown will be on the line when reigning champion Charles Oliveira takes on top-ranked contender Justin Gaethje in the main event at UFC 274. This long-awaited clash is the second of two championship fights on the UFC main card, with Rose Namajunas set to defend her UFC women’s strawweight belt against Carla Esparza in the co-main event of the evening.
Pencil in Saturday, May 7, on your calendar for UFC 274, with the PPV event taking place at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. The Oliveira vs Gaethje odds are available, with the champion emerging as a strong betting favorite.
See UFC odds and other betting markets at Sportsbook:
Oliveira vs Gaethje Betting Odds
Online sportsbook Sportsbook leads the way with Oliveira vs Gaethje odds, and has pegged “Do Bronx” as a -145 favorite, while Gaethje lags as a +115 underdog. That means Oliveira backers must wager $145 to generate potential winnings of $100, while a successful $100 bet on Gaethje to pull off the upset will produce winnings of $115.
| Fighter | Odds |
|---|---|
| Charles Oliveira | -145 |
| Justin Gaethje | +115 |
Odds as of May 7 at Sportsbook
See Odds Shark’s Best UFC Sites
A quick look at the Odds Shark sports betting calculator provides further insight into the Oliveira vs Gaethje betting line. Oliveira’s -170 odds translate to an implied win probability of 59.18 percent, while Gaethje’s odds represent an implied win probability of 46.51 percent.
With two titles on the line, UFC 274 offers an outstanding opportunity for sports bettors getting in on UFC betting action for the first time. Sports bettors and fight fans alike can learn all about UFC betting by checking out our How to Bet on UFC guide. We also make your UFC betting experience a little easier with our list of the best UFC betting sites, as well as up-to-date UFC betting news.
Oliveira vs Gaethje Odds Analysis
Oliveira heads into this date with Gaethje sporting negative odds for just the second time in five Octagon appearances. The 32-year-old silenced the naysayers last time out, successfully defending his title for the first time with a third-round submission victory over Dustin Poirier while sporting +115 odds.
Oliveira sported an average closing line of +130 in upset victories over Kevin Lee and Tony Ferguson before claiming the vacant UFC lightweight title as -130 chalk in his UFC 262 tilt with Michael Chandler.
Gaethje Still Struggling To Win Over Sports Bettors
Despite enjoying a spot among the top contenders in the UFC lightweight division since joining the UFC almost five years ago, Gaethje has struggled at times to win the confidence of sports bettors.
“The Highlight” closed as lofty -220 chalk ahead of his unanimous decision over Chandler last time out at UFC 268. However, he sported negative odds in three of his previous four contests.
That run includes his stunning fifth-round KO win over Ferguson as a +180 dog at UFC 249 that earned him the interim UFC lightweight title, and his subsequent loss to Khabib Nurmagomedov as a distant +225 bet at UFC 254.
Oliveira vs Gaethje Betting Preview
Oliveira has emerged as a dominant force in the UFC lightweight division since overcoming a dismal 2-4 run in the Octagon, and now rides a 10-fight win streak. Oliveira has credited his current run of success to his decision to change gyms in 2017 and focus on improving his striking game.
While that has paid dividends in the form of three KO or TKO wins on punches during his current 10-0 surge, Oliveira remains at heart a submission specialist, with six of his most recent opponents tapping out, including five finishes inside two rounds. Those performances have established Oliveira as a UFC legend who now holds the UFC record with 15 submission wins and 18 finishes.
Gaethje Poised To Silence Critics
While Gaethje’s UFC record is far from unblemished, his reputation for taking on the toughest opponents in the division is unquestioned. A longtime WSOF lightweight champion prior to claiming victory over Michael Johnson in his promotional debut in The Ultimate Fighter: Redemption Finale, Gaethje subsequently faced a rude awakening.
The 33-year-old American suffered the first defeats of his pro career in humbling fashion, getting knocked out by Eddie Alvarez and Dustin Poirier in consecutive Octagon appearances.
However, the former all-American wrestler quickly rebounded, tallying opening-round knockouts of James Vick, Edson Barboza and Donald Cerrone before claiming the interim title with his victory over Ferguson.
In addition, fight fans can expect plenty of entertainment in fights featuring Gaethje, who has picked up six Fight of the Night bonuses and four Performance of the Night bonuses over his nine UFC appearances to date.
Oliveira vs Gaethje Betting Pick
While Oliveira is assumed to have the clear edge should the action go to the mat, Gaethje’s experience as a collegiate wrestler should not be overlooked. “The Highlight” is skilled at defending against takedowns and is the superior striker in this upcoming championship fight.
Indeed, Oliveira has yet to see a striker of Gaethje’s caliber during his current win streak. And it is that factor that should tilt this affair in favor of The Highlight.
