Charles Oliveira averted potential catastrophe within the fifth spherical however finally nonetheless gained a lopsided choice within the UFC 309 co-main occasion to beat Michael Chandler for a second time.
It was utter domination for Oliveira by way of the primary 4 rounds as he beat Chandler on the ft after which suffocated him on the bottom. It appeared like he was cruising to victory till Chandler blasted him with punches within the closing body and practically pulled off the miraculous comeback.
Oliveira survived and ended up with one closing takedown that snuffed out Chandler’s hopes for the victory with the judges finally scoring the struggle 49-46, 49-46 and 49-45 for the previous light-weight champion.
“This man’s one of many hardest guys I’ve ever fought,” Oliveira stated about Chandler. “This man has all my respect. Whoever is subsequent in line, I’ll be there entrance row in January.”
Some early hanging exchanges led to a slick journey takedown from Oliveira with Chandler touchdown in an unfamiliar place on his again. Oliveira’s leg was really caught in a wierd place, which prevented him from actually producing a lot offense to forestall Chandler from escaping his grasp.
Following a sluggish shifting opening spherical, Oliveira went on the assault within the second with a laser-like straight punch that twisted Chandler’s head round. He adopted with one other laborious shot that pressured Chandler to show and nearly run away as he tried to keep away from additional harm.
Oliveira continued to stab away with correct but highly effective strikes and Chandler was pressured to throw warning to the wind as he began winging photographs again at him. That led to a different takedown from Oliveira, who nearly instantly moved into the mount.
A affected person Oliveira waited for the absolute best openings earlier than unleashing some vicious elbows from the highest with Chandler simply absorbing punishment on the underside.
On the restart within the third spherical, Chandler tried to get a little bit extra aggressive however he ended up along with his again in opposition to the cage once more, which allowed Oliveira to simply measure his strikes. From uppercuts to elbows after which knees up the center, Oliveira was simply punishing him but in addition not getting too loopy to permit Chandler to hit him with one thing in return.
That led to a different takedown with Oliveira instantly advancing to the again with a physique triangle locked on and Chandler was caught taking part in protection but once more. Chandler survived the spherical however he was shifting into end solely mode with the scorecards so clearly in opposition to him after being dominated by way of quarter-hour.
Whereas Chandler uncorked some highly effective punches, he couldn’t cease the takedown with Oliveira as soon as once more ending up on his again. Oliveira practically secured a rear bare choke however Chandler fought his method free, though he needed to comprehend it was do or die with time working out on him.
Understanding that it was end or bust, Chandler lastly discovered a house for his greatest punches as he blasted Oliveira and put the previous champion down for the primary time within the fifth spherical. Chandler began unloading with a barrage of photographs, though many appeared to land to the again of the pinnacle however the referee didn’t intervene.
In some way, Oliveira averted the onslaught and acquired again to his ft earlier than he secured one other takedown, though Chandler saved powering his strategy to the ft. Even with Oliveira locked on his again, Chandler defiantly jumped backwards making an attempt to shake him unfastened however it was too little, too late because the struggle got here to an in depth.
After two years away, Chandler returned and clearly didn’t get the end result he wished however there’s nonetheless loads of alternative awaiting him sooner or later.
“All I understand how to do is throw American dangerous ass warning to the wind,” Chandler stated. “Perhaps Max Holloway for the ‘BMF” belt or Conor McGregor if you will get your own home again so as … come again and beat me if you happen to can.”
