It almost didn't matter that Charles Oliveira had to vacate the lightweight world championship for failing to make weight.
"Do Bronx" still proved beyond a doubt that he's the best in the division. An action-packed opening sequence ended abruptly in the first round when Oliveira cinched in a rear-naked choke to make Justin Gaethje tap out in the main event of UFC 274 at the Footprint Center in Phoenix on Saturday night. The victory marked Oliveira's 11th consecutive win, adding another submission to his record.
After notching the victory, Oliveira scaled the Octagon and kissed Dana White on the forehead after the president declared him the No. 1 contender for the lightweight title, reminding him that's only because the Brazilian didn't make weight Friday. Still, Oliveira proved that the distance between him and other lightweights is growing.
"Hey, hey, there's something missing here. The champion has a name, and it's Charles Oliveira from the Bronx," Oliveira said through a translator in the Octagon after his win.
"This is a message for the entire division — I'm a problem for the entire division."
For good measure, Oliveira added that White can stick anyone he wants in the Octagon with him next. However, he has someone in mind.
"Hey, Conor McGregor — you coming up, or you're going to run away?"
The Oliveira-Gaethje fight was exciting for the 3:22 it lasted, as both fighters rocked and dropped each other with clubbing shots before Oliveira detonated a straight right hand that dropped Gaethje with a thud. Oliveira seized the moment by taking Gaethje's back and working to get a triangle locked in. Although Gaethje somehow freed himself from that jam, he couldn't escape Oliveira trapping him in a rear-naked choke. Oliveira put the squeeze on tightly, forcing Gaethje to tap before he was slept.
Here's how the entire UFC 274: Oliveira vs. Gaethje main card pay-per-view went.