MMA Preview – Charles Oliveira vs Michael Chandler at UFC 262
CHARLES OLIVEIRA VS MICHAEL CHANDLER FACTS
When is UFC 262? Sunday 16th May, 2021 - 01:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC 262? Toyota Center, Houston, Texas (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC 262? Click here to buy tickets for UFC 261
What channel is UFC 262 on? BT Sport 1
Where can I stream UFC 262? BT Sport subscribers can stream the fight online via the BT Sport website
For viewers in the United States, the event will be shown live on ESPN+ and you can sign up for access as part of a Disney Bundle here!
CHARLES OLIVEIRA VS MICHAEL CHANDLER LOWDOWN
Charles Oliveira (30-8(1)) walks out for his first title fight after 27 UFC bouts, and it is thoroughly deserved. He has floated in between the featherweight and lightweight division going 18-8(1) but 155 lbs is clearly his class with a 11-3(1) record blossoming into a consistent killer riding an eight-fight win streak. Oliveira is also not shy on putting on a show with a plethora of records including the most submissions, most ‘performance of the night’ bonuses and the tied most finishes in UFC history with Donald Cerrone. He broke these records during his eight-fight streak where he was finishing opponents for fun including a submission over Kevin Lee and capped off the run with a unanimous decision over Tony Ferguson although he did do his best to take his arm with him during the fight.
Eight months ago, Michael Chandler (22-5) was walking out of the Bellator cage with his 18th win for the organisation. Now, he is fighting for one of the most coveted MMA titles of all time – the UFC lightweight championship. He was Bellator’s golden boy and former lightweight champion, but it was not smooth sailing. When he lost his title in a split decision to Eddie Alvarez back in 2013, he lost twice more – another split decision to Will Brooks and then got knocked out in the rematch. The decisions were controversial, but it sparked a pivotal change in mindset, and he went on to bag seven wins and the lightweight strap again sandwiched by that loss to Brent Primus due to injury. After regaining his title, he eventually lost it to Patricio Freire in 2019, but that loss only seemed to make him better, knocking out Sidney Outlaw and Benson Henderson. He then got the high-profile call-up to the UFC and the ultimate test. He was paired with Dan Hooker for his debut and aced it by knocking out the seasoned striker in the first round.
CHARLES OLIVEIRA VS MICHAEL CHANDLER PREDICTION
What a fight we have and what an opportunity for both men to claim Khabib Nurmagomedov’s throne which he kept warm for three years. Stylistically, this is a mouth-watering match-up. We have the submission machine Oliveira whose long accurate striking has got more dangerous with each fight and the power wrestler Chandler with kettlebells for hands.
Historically, Chandler has relied on his explosive wrestling and jiu-jitsu to dominate the fight on the floor which disguises his threat on the feet. Oliveira will happily welcome a takedown as he will have the confidence to stretch his submission record. He will also back his three-inch reach advantage and range to win the stand-up battle.
Chandler will feel he can control Oliveira on the floor with his wrestling, but we expect his ‘plan A’ to be putting the Brazilian away on the feet. He has the speed and athleticism to explode into the pocket and land a calculated bomb. So, both fighters will believe they can get the job done on the feet and on the floor which will create a barnburner.
They are very different fighters, but very evenly matched. The game changer could be their cardio. Oliveira has never gone past the third round whereas Chandler has six times with title fight experience. A finish could fall either way early in the fight, but if it goes into the championship rounds, you have to back Chandler with a possible late finish on a fatigued Brazilian.
Prediction: Chandler via KO/TKO - CLICK HERE FOR PARIMATCH'S WELCOME OFFER (BET £5, GET £30 IN BONUSES!)
Value Bet: Chandler via Submission
