UFC 301 takes place Saturday at Farmasi Arena in Rio de Janeiro. Lightweight standout Elves Brener takes on Myktybek Orolbai on the featured prelims. Going 3-0 in 2023, he is expectant of a dashing performance at UFC 301. However, weight-cut problems seem to be ailing the fighter, as Charles Oliveira has come to his aid.
Much like Charles Oliveira, Elves Brener is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu savant and black belt who trains at Chute Boxe Academy. Brener, 16-3 MMA, 3-0 UFC, won all his stints since his 2023 debut, with his scrap against Guram Kutateladze winning the Fight of the Night bonus. However, his current trajectory puts him at risk for his 4th outing. Locker room footage at the Host Hotel sees ‘Do Bronx’ catering to him & cradling him up to lay him out.
Until a fighter gets to rehydrate again, many suffer harrowing experiences due to weight cuts. Even fighting at the same weight class, reaching a stipulated limit to the dot can be jarring, especially if a fighter has more natural weight. Luckily enough, his cornermen and Chute Boxe mates were at his aid, along with Charles Oliveira. The Brazilian superstar is famous for taking mentor-mentee relationships diligently.
Oliveira is no stranger to tough weight cuts. The 155lber always has wavering results trying to cut down before a fight. Elves Brener did finally hit the mark at UFC 301 Official weigh-ins at the UFC host hotel in Rio de Janeiro. Brener came at 156lbs, with Myktybek Orolbai (155.5) successfully weighing in as well. The matter, and Oliveira’s reaction, has gone quite viral.
Fight fans react to Charles Oliveira nestling Elves Brener during weight cut issues
UFC 301 edges around the corner every minute. Elves Brener faced 155-pound peer Myktybek Orolbai in the second prelims. Despite losing, behind-the-scene footage at the host hotel shows the fighter and his camp had quite the jumpscare. By all appearances, he probably struggled to make the mark at 156. A video reel shows his camp tending to him with coveralls, blankets, and cooling pads.
Charles Oliveira, Elves Brener (Source: IMAGO/ Instagram, @elvesbrener)The reel also sees Charles Oliveira clasping up the almost-immobile Brener and laying him out to rest on the mat. ‘Do Bronx’ landed in Rio de Janeiro a few cycles ago, as he had told Guilherme Cruz (@guicruzzz) of the Trocação Podcast he would. Here’s how fans have reacted to him helping out his friend:
Fight in the proper weight class. This torture doesn’t give you an edge.
— SmackDabTrader (@SmackDabTrader) May 3, 2024
Sick. Hydration testing and controlled % weight cut from walk around weight needs to be done in UFC as it has successfully been done in One Championship.
— Tiff (@Nuke_WEF) May 3, 2024
Idc who you are. If you ever cut weight like this, it’s torture. Literally. So bad that people have to hold you down.
Shouldn’t be like this tbh.
— Derek White (@IAmJonDerek) May 3, 2024
if your weight cuts are this hard, its time to move up.
— Mike “Beast Boy” Davis (@MikeDavisMMA) May 3, 2024
I think that the concern and support his team is showing is incredible. These guys are super tough guys, yet they really are there for their teammate.
— MaximumEve (@MaximumEve) May 3, 2024
The matter has gone immensely viral. Many have accordingly lauded the sentiment that Oliveira and others in his camp catered to him while in need. Consequently, the issue of cutting down and its effects have taken fans aback more than the footage itself.
UFC featherweight William Gomis threw up before the official weigh-ins, with medical personnel having to follow him. Concurrently, he also weighed in at three pounds below the limit; his bout is the only one canceled on the UFC 301 card. Fans have alluded to this at length on the topic of cutting down affecting top fighters on the same card.
