After a real demonstration against Michael Chandler in the octagon at Madison Square Garden, in the co-main event of UFC 309, Charles Oliveira signed a 23rd victory in the organization and is getting closer to a rematch against Islam Makhachev, for the lightweight belt.
Simply above. In all compartments. Opposing Michael Chandler during the co-main event of UFC 309, Charles Oliveira delivered a masterclass at Madison Square Garden in New York. Under the eyes of more than 20,000 fans and Donald Trump, the Brazilian left almost nothing to his evening opponent.
The first four rounds are quite similar. Standing, “Do Bronx” (his nickname) manages the distance with his kicks… until he finds the fault and takes him to the ground. Although a very good wrestler, Chandler did not manage to defend a single takedown during the first 20 minutes. Once on the ground, an area where Oliveira excels, the American suffers the wrath of jiu-jitsu. On guard, on the rise, on the back… the former lightweight champion gave his opponent a real lesson in grappling.
Led four rounds to nothing, Michael Chandler is obliged to finalize his opponent if he wishes to win, like Leon Edwards against Kamaru Usman. The situation is simple, as is the advice from his corner: “You give everything and you believe in your combinations.” And the American, who thrilled his fans during his entry, gave himself the right to believe it. Lots of rhythm in the first 30 seconds, then a series of hooks shakes Oliveira, who loses lucidity. With the fight as a spare tire, he attempts an unacademic takedown, which Chandler takes advantage of to regain dominant position on the ground. What follows is a rain of blows that flirt with the limit of the illegal (in the back of the head and the neck)… “Do Bronx” knows that there are only a few seconds left to hold and gives time. flow.
“The next one will be me, I will be there in January if necessary”
With four rounds won out of five, victory is in no doubt for Charles Oliveira who wins by unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-45). With this 23rd success in the UFC (only the third by decision), the Brazilian consolidates his second place among lightweights and returns to victory after his disillusionment at UFC 300 against Arman Tsarukyan. The Armenian who should get him a title shot, at the start of 2025, against the champion Makhachev.
If the Russian should first defend his belt against the No. 1 challenger in the -70kg category, he has opened the door to a title fight against the winner of Chandler-Oliveira. “This fight is very interesting. Sign an impressive victory and the champion could give you an audience next time,” he said before the co-main event of UFC 309. A sentence that Charles Oliveira remembered. “The next one will be me, I will be there in January if necessary”, affirmed “Do Bronx” at the microphone of Joe Rogan, after having thanked God and the public present in New York. The message has been sent, it's up to the UFC to decide.
