Charles Oliveira and Justin Gaethje are set for a lightweight title fight at UFC 274 in May

Charles Oliveira is set to defend the UFC lightweight championship against Justin Gaethje, as it was confirmed that the duo will fight at UFC 274 in May. 

UFC confirmed the bout during the UFC 272 pay-per-view broadcast on Saturday and all eyes have now turned onto that fight, which will take place at Footprint Center in Phoenix.  

Oliveira (32-8, 1 NC) scored the first defense of his 155-pound title in December at UFC 269 when he submitted fan-favorite Dustin Poirier in the third round. 

Charles Oliveira (left) is set to defend the UFC lightweight championship against Justin Gaethje (right), as it was confirmed that the duo will fight at UFC 274 in May

The CBS Sports’ Fighter of the Year runner-up has won 10 fights in a row with nine finishes, including a TKO victory over Michael Chandler to claim the vacant strap and a submission of Kevin Lee.

Gaethje (23-3) enters the fight coming off his fight of the year against Chandler at UFC 268 in November. 

The former UFC interim lightweight champion has won five of his last six fights with four TKOs. 

The only setback in that stretch was a title unification bout vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 254, where he was submitted before the Russian announced his retirement.

Khabib Nurmagomedov himself will be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame class of 2022, the UFC has announced.

Khabib Nurmagomedov (left) will be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame class of 2022

The 33-year-old officially retired in March 2021 with his last fight being the UFC lightweight title defense against Justin Gaethje in October 2020.

‘Khabib is one of the greatest athletes to ever compete in professional sports,’ UFC President Dana White said.

‘No one has outplayed their opponents like Khabib has, and to walk away undefeated, as the lightweight champion and number one pound-for-pound athlete in the world, is an incredible accomplishment. 

‘It will be an honor to induct him in the UFC Hall of Fame this summer.’

The Eagle retired with an immaculate 29-0 record and was number one in the UFC pound-for-pound rankings at the time of his departure.