Jack Green makes his pick as Charles Oliveira defends his lightweight title against Justin Gaethje at UFC 274 in Phoenix.
Here are Jack Green‘s best UFC picks for Charles Oliveira vs Justin Gaethje at UFC 274 in Phoenix. Visit the Betway Insider for picks on all the biggest fights.
Oliveira v Gaethje odds
UFC 274’s main event in Phoenix on Saturday night has Fight of the Year potential, as two of the most exciting fighters in the promotion face off for the lightweight title.
Charles Oliveira has been the champion since he beat Michael Chandler almost exactly a year ago at UFC 262. He finished the American inside two rounds, and went on to successfully defend the belt with a submission victory over former interim champion Dustin Poirier at UFC 269 in December.
‘Do Bronx’ has now won 10 straight fights, with former title challengers Tony Ferguson and Kevin Lee also featuring on his long list of defeated opponents.
Oliveira can do it all. He holds the records for the most finishes (18) and submissions (15) in UFC history, and has climbed all the way up to fifth in the company’s pound-for-pound rankings.
In Justin Gaethje, however, the Brazilian faces perhaps his toughest test yet. ‘The Highlight’ beat Chandler at UFC 268 in November to set up this title shot, and has now won five of his last six fights, with all-time great Khabib Nurmagomedov the only man to beat him during this run.
Gaethje has always been an immensely powerful striker with a wrestling background, but he’s shown a huge amount of technical improvement of late, particularly in wins over Chandler and Ferguson (who happen to face each other on Saturday’s card).
Gaethje has all the tools to be the champion, but is the {ODDS:878617160:7/5} underdog on Saturday night.
Oliveira, meanwhile, is the {ODDS:878617158:4/7} favourite to leave Phoenix with the belt.
Oliveira v Gaethje predictions
Oliveira and Gaethje’s styles mean this meeting is sure to produce fireworks.
Gaethje came into the UFC as a human wrecking ball, pushing forward relentlessly and taking punishment in order to land his signature leg kicks and right hand.
He’s become a more measured fighter in recent years, but is still ready to go to war at any time and will almost certainly do so against Oliveira.
The champion is similarly unafraid to take a punch in order to give one. He was almost finished in each of his last two fights against Chandler and Poirier, but showed tremendous spirit to fight back and secure finishes on both occasions.
Oliveira struggled against powerful pressure fighters earlier in his career, but those two recent title fight wins show he’s now equipped to deal with an opponent like Gaethje, so it’s hard to bet against the champion.
Oliveira should be able to survive the onslaught on the feet, and if he can take this fight to the mat – either with a takedown or a strike that rocks Gaethje – it could be game over very quickly.
The American is a great wrestler, but Oliveira’s grappling is simply on another level and he could submit Gaethje with the same ease that Khabib did in October 2020.
It’s going to be chaotic, but another submission victory for Oliveira – the 16th of his UFC career – looks the likeliest outcome.
Oliveira to win by submission {ODDS:878617281:7/5}
