“My Belt Was Stolen” – ‘Robbed’ Charles Oliveira Sends a Message Before Michael Chandler UFC 309 Fight

Former UFC lightweight kingpin Charles Oliveira has been a dominant force in the promotion for years, but it's fair to say he's been unlucky at times. After spending 11 years and 28 fights under the UFC banner, he finally earned the opportunity to claim the vacant title belt following Khabib Nurmagomedov's retirement.

However, Oliveira's second title defense against Justin Gaethje ended in infamy as the Brazilian "lost" his title in a controversial fashion. For the unversed, Oliveira failed to make 155lbs for his title defense. While fans may have thought that chapter was closed, the Brazilian native has now reopened the matter in a recent interview while gearing up to face Michael Chandler in a rematch at UFC 309.

Charles Oliveira's reaction to his forfeited Lightweight title Charles Oliveira has faced multiple setbacks recently, including his defeat to Arman Tsarukyan at the historic UFC 300. In their grueling three-round battle, Tsarukyan won via split decision, leaving the former champ frustrated. A few days after the event, Oliveira questioned the scorecards, claiming he won the "first" and "third" rounds, but he didn't dwell on the controversy, stating, "I am a non-controversy guy." The battle was won convincingly but 'Do Bronx' was stripped of the title per the rules.

However, now unhappy with the UFC, the rules, and the judges, Oliveira aimed at the promotion. While speaking to TMZ Sports , 'Do Bronxs' responded to a question about whether regaining the title would mean more to him, saying, "For sure, because I didn't lose the belt—my belt was stolen from me. I didn't lose the belt; in fact, I was robbed." This stemmed from Oliveira's infamous weight miss by half a pound during his second title defense against Justin Gaethje at UFC 274. As a result, the Brazilian was stripped of the title after the fight. Oliveira vehemently disagreed with this decision, quoting it as "robbery" calling out Dana White and the UFC, accusing them of unjustly taking his title.

Now, with determination in his eyes, the Brazilian native is focused on securing a title shot against division king Islam Makhachev . Next week, he will step into the octagon to face Michael Chandler in a rematch, aiming to replicate his previous performance in their first bout. In the same interview, Oliveira shared a message for Chandler in anticipation of their showdown.

Oliveira reveals his expectations from Chandler at UFC 309 Despite taking down opponents with a ferocity that makes it seem like they owe him money, Charles Oliveira remains one of the UFC's most humble fighters. In an era where many fighters embrace the "bad boy" persona, 'Do Bronx's' good-guy demeanor sets him apart. From his UFC debut, he wasn't seen as an elite contender, but over time, he raised the bar in the lightweight division, building a reputation as both a formidable fighter and one of MMA's most likable personalities.

Although Charles Oliveira's early UFC performances were inconsistent, he eventually hit his stride, going on an impressive 11-fight win streak before it was shattered by Islam Makhachev. Recognizing the Brazilian's potential, Makhachev's team even invited him to train with them in Dagestan—a rare gesture. While Oliveira was thankful, he politely declined the offer, staying focused on his path even as he dealt with setbacks.

In an interview with TNT Sports, he sent a message to Michael Chandler ahead of their upcoming co-main event at Madison Square Garden on November 16. 'Do Bronxs' expressed, "Listen, I'm the most respectful guy in the world. I just want him to have the best fight he can, and I want to do my best as well. I think it's maybe the best fight, and the better fighter wins."

What's your take on Charles Oliveira's claims? Do you think his belt was "stolen" from him at UFC 274, as he asserts, blaming the weight scale? Or was the UFC justified in upholding its rules? Add your thoughts in the comments.