UFC 274 LIVE RESULTS: Oliveira chokes Gaethje UNCONSCIOUS as Chandler sends Ferguson to hospital with brutal front kick
CHARLES OLIVEIRA ruthlessly ended Justin Gaethje's title hopes with a nasty rear-naked choke.
Do Bronx - who was stripped of the lightweight title on the scales on Friday - choked fan favourite Gaethje OUT COLD in the first round of their mouth-watering showdown.
In the co-main event of the evening, Carla Esparza dethroned strawweight queen Rose Namajunas in one of the most unforgettable title fights in UFC history.
But the highlight of the night came in the tasty lightweight showdown between Michael Chandler and Tony Ferguson, which the former won courtesy of a brutal front kick.
Scroll down to re-live all the action and the reaction from a special night in Phoenix below...
McGregor's return
McGregor, 33, hasn't set foot inside the octagon since breaking his leg in his rubber match with Dustin Poirier last July.
The Irishman has made a faster than expected recovery, but UFC president Dana White expects him to return to the cage in the fall.
White told recently told SunSport: "We're looking at early fall, if everything goes right.
"If his leg heals right and he gets the clearance to really start training, then possibly early fall."
Chandler's remarks, continued
"I have one dude on my mind, Conor McGregor! You've gotta come down to fight somebody," the champion said.
"I am the most entertaining lightweight on the planet. I want to up the stakes, Conor.
"I want you at your biggest, I want you at your baddest and I want you at your best.
"You and me, at 170, this summer, this fall, this winter."
What did Chandler say?
"What the fans at home will never ever feel is when you're down and you have a round like I just did that wasn't decisive," Michael Chandler said excitedly.
"Tony Ferguson showed up.
"You gotta pull out something from inside of you. And God came through."
McGregor unsure about Oliveira fight
Conor McGregor was called out by Charles Oliveira in the closing stages of UFC 274.
But The Notorious isn't completely sold on a showdown with the former lightweight champion.
He tweeted: "I’m not sure I wish to cut the weight. I am really enjoying being built like a refrigerator.
"I feel I want to fight at this size just to watch it back lol.
"I’d love to fight the Brazilian, 100%!
"I love Brazil and I’m unbeaten against Brazil. All KO’s. I’ve some thinking to do."
Credit: INSTAGRAM@THENOTORIOUSMMA Ferguson released
Tony Ferguson has been released from the hospital following his brutal loss to Charles Oliveira.
El Cucuy was brutally knocked out by a nasty front kick by Michael Chandler in the second round of their lightweight showdown.
The UFC's medical team transported him to the hospital for further checks but his CT scans have come back negative.
Credit: Getty Khab called
Former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov has on Dana White to book a vacant title fight between his pal Islam Makhachev and Charles Oliveira.
He tweeted: "@DanaWhite you have no other choice but make Oliveira vs Islam fight in AbuDhabi 22 October.
"Perfect date, Perfect location,Perfect opponents with perfect winning streaks 10 vs 11."
McGregor mocks Ferguson
Conor McGregor has mocked former stabelmate Tony Ferguson over his brutal loss to Michael Chandler.
Dana White praises Tony Ferguson
"He looked damn good in that first round
"But that was a vicious knockout. but I think what needs to happen now is Tony needs to take some time off after that knockout."
The veteran promoter added: "I don't know what's next for him
"But it's not like, 'Oh my God, Tony got dominated and looks like he doesn't belong here.
"Tony looked damn good right up until he got caught. And you know in this game that anybody can get caught with anything."
May 7, 2022; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Spectators react as Michael Chandler does a backflip in celebration of his knockout victory against Tony Ferguson during UFC 274 at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY SportsCredit: Reuters Tony transported
Tony Ferguson has been transported to hospital to undergo further medical examination after his brutal loss to Michael Chandler.
UFC president Dana White said of the stoppage: "That was the most vicious knockout I've ever seen."
Nasty choke
Here's a look of the nasty rear-naked choke that ended Justin Gaethje's dream of winning undisputed UFC gold.
Do Bronx reigns supreme
Charles Oliveira has cemented his status as the No.1 contendr in the lightweight division with a nasty first-round rear-naked choke victory over Justin Gaethje.
An unofficial title defence from Do Bronx, who battled through an insane amount of diversity to get the win.
Oliveira vs Gaethje - Round 1
Former champ Oliveira takes the centre of the octagon but eats a big leg kick.
But Gaethje gets wobbed by a huge right hook and is on the retreat.
Oliveira gets dropped by a huge uppercut but Gaethje wisely doesn't follow him to the ground.
Gaethje drops him again with a left hook, although Oliveira's fall is delayed.
Oliveira is bloodied up and they're trading heavy leather.
Do Bronx pulls guard but Gaethje manages to get back to his feet.
The pressure is continuing to come from Oliveira, who lands another right hand.
Oliveira floors Gaethje with a huge right hand is going for a submission.
Gaethje defends a triangle but gives up his back. Rear naked choke for Charles Oliveira.
That's a wrap, folks.
Main event time
Here we go folks. Up next is the lightweight barnburner we've all been waiting for.
Charles Oliveira and Justin Gaethje are about to throw down.
But only Gaethje will be able to claim the belt due to Oliveira's weight miss on Frirday.
This one is going to be epic.
May 6, 2022; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; UFC fighter Charles Oliveira (left) faces off with Justin Gaethje during weigh ins for UFC 274 at the Arizona Federal Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY SportsCredit: Reuters And new!
Carla Esparza reclaims the women's strawweight title via split decision.
Rose Namajunas can only lament her lack of activity when she looks back at her performance.
Namajunas vs Esparza – Round 5
Deer in head lights. That's the only way I can describe this fight.
A takedown from Namajunas seconds before the horn is the biggest moment of the stanza.
I have no idea how this is going to be scored.
Namajunas vs Esparza – Round 4
Esparza ups the ante early in the round and that actually leads to some back-and-forth exchanges.
Cookie Monster briefly grounds the fight but gets too excited and loses position as she tries to jump on Namajunas' back.
Esparza gets a single-leg takedown but Namakunas rolls out and pops right back up to her feet.
And she responds with a big right hand.
Credit: Getty Namajunas vs Esparza – Round 3
Esparza gets a takedown a minute and a half into the round but is unable to keep the fight on the ground.
The former champ lands two left hooks. Namajunas responds with a right hand a few moments later.
This one is finally warming up. Esparza is desperate to ground the fight but is starting her takedown attempts from too far out.
It stagnates yet again. I can't, for the life of me, understand why this is panning out this way.
Namajunas vs Esparza - Round 2
Another tentative start to the round from both ladies.
Takedown attempt for Esparza, but the champ stuffs it. That's big.
It's gone back to being an uneventful affair. Namajunas lands a left hand to the body - her most significant strike of the fight.
Fans are so bored they're doing a Mexican wave.
The horn goes.
Namajunas vs Esparza - Round 1
Namajunas is happy to operate on the outside early doors as she looks to get a read on the former champ.
Thug Rose is frustrating her former foe with her length and distance.
Esparza has yet to land a single strike let alone come close to securing a takedown.
A drab round, all in all.
Co-main event time
Up next is the strawweight title rematch between defending champ Rose Namajunas and Carla Esparza.
Esparza got the better of Thug Rose several years ago.
Will it be revenge or repeat? We'll soon find out.
Credit: Reuters An elated Chandler speaks
An elated Chandler said: "What the fans at home will never ever feel is when you're down and you have a round like I just did that wasn't decisive and Tony Ferguson showed up.
"You gotta pull out something from inside of you. And God came through."
Michael Chandler starches Tony Ferguson
Michael Chandler has just KO'd Tony Ferguson with a vicious front kick to the face.
Oh my goodness what a KO.
Chandler vs Ferguson – Round 2
A confident Ferguson takes the centre of the octagon. Huge front kick lands for Chandler straches Ferguson.
Chandler vs Ferguson - Round 1
Chandler immediately takes the centre of the octagon and is light on his feet.
A double jab from Chandler is wide of the mark. Ferguson checks two low kicks.
Chandler narrowly misses a huge left hook. And he gets dropped with one seconds later.
Ferguson is on the hunt and catches Chandler with a right hand. Chandler responds with a left hook.
Chandler is getting sloppy with his strikes. Beautiful power double leg from Chandler grounds the fight.
Ferguson opens up Chandler with a nasty elbow from the bottom.
El Cucuy is doing a great job off his back. But Chandler is starting to have some success with his strikes in guard.
One of Chandler's shots has opened up Ferguson. The horn goes. What a round.
Tony time
Up next is the most-anticipated non-title fight on the card.
Michael Chandler vs Tony Ferguson is about to go down ladies and gentlemen.
This one is going to be carnage.
Credit: Reuters
