At the co-main event of the UFC 309, Charles Oliveira and Michael Chandler meet again for the second time.
The fighters had their first run-in with each other in 2021, where the Brazillian floored Chandler with a knockout. The former Bellator champion Michael Chandler got another chance to redeem himself, and he gave it his best in the cage. Chandler came with an aggressive approach in the following round. However, Oliveria had him backed against the fence once again, where he unloaded a barrage of blows and kicks. Oliveria scored another takedown and had Chandler in a body lock shortly after, but the former champ survived the round.
The odds were not in Chandler’s favour, but the fighter kept at it, delivering savage punches. Oliveira went in for a takedown and an RNC, but Chandler managed to break through. He unleashed a flurry of punishing blows before retreating. Oliveira stayed on Chandler’s back, but the fighter managed to score a couple of wild shots before he recovered and put his defences up. Oliveira landed a takedown and almost had the former champ in a leg lock. But, he survived this onslaught and was soon back on his feet.
Oliveira continued to hammer Chandler with punishing blows and jabs that left the former champ winded. He soon wrestled another takedown, where he landed some elbow shots before getting back up. Chandler tried to return the favor, but he was soon backed to the corner, where Oliveira peppered him with body shots before the round came to an end.
The fighter was relentless and continued to move around. He did a couple of body slams to shake the Brazillian off, but there was no escape.
Although the bout did not end in Chandler’s favour, the fighter is still persistent in facing Conor McGregor whenever the Irishman makes a return. Chandler had been out of the cage for a year in preparation for his battle with McGregor. However, it seems like this fight may never come to fruition. Although Chandler made the conscious decision to stay out of the cage till his fight with McGregor, a rematch with Oliveria was too tempting to turn down.
Despite suffering defeat at the hands of his former rival, Chandler is set on fighting McGregor come 2025.
“All I know how to do is throw American bad ass caution to the wind,” Chandler said. “Maybe Max Holloway for the ‘BMF” belt or Conor McGregor if you can get your house back in order … come back and beat me if you can.”
