Charles Oliveira won a somewhat lopsided unanimous decision over Michael Chandler in their rematch on Saturday night, but this was one of my favorite fights in years.
Both Oliveira and Chandler had their moments in the UFC 309 co-main event, and that’s especially the case for the epic fifth round. Through the first four rounds, Oliveira’s surgical striking, timely takedowns, and overall fight acumen got the better of Chandler.
The former champion was on his way to an easy victory heading into the fifth round. Rather than coasting and avoiding Chandler, Oliveira stood in the pocket and paid the price for his bravery. Chandler landed a huge right hand that hurt Oliveira. The Brazilian retreated and, in a desperate effort, was able to get the fight to the ground.
While on the ground, Oliveira showed off his excellent recuperation gifts. He got back to his feet and then initiated a more controlled takedown. Oliveira took Chandler’s back, setting up one of the more memorable Octagon moments you’ll see this year.
Two words for you.
If this was WWE, this was a match that saw the loser have a moment that would lead to their elevation moving forward. Chandler is smart.
He started putting on a show once he realized he wouldn’t win the fight. That backpack powerbomb was pure cinema, and it set up Chandler’s epic post-fight callouts of Max Holloway and Conor McGregor.
Both of those callouts make sense. Chandler has long been set to fight McGregor, but the latter has not returned to the Octagon.
The Holloway callout is also sensible because the former featherweight champion is coming off his first stoppage loss and has permanently moved up to lightweight. A fight with Chandler could be epic, and it’s appropriate for both men at this stage of their careers.
Oliveira will be waiting for the winner of the upcoming title fight between champion Islam Makhachev and Arman Tsarukyan. That fight is expected to take place in January, and Oliveira believes he has set himself up to face the winner.
Oliveira has faced and lost to both men, but he’s likely in a position to challenge for the championship.
Here is a look at all of the results from the event.
UFC 309 Results TableMain Card
- (c) Jon Jones def. No. 8 Stipe Miocic Via Third-Round TKO
- No. 2 Charles Oliveira def. No. 7 Michael Chandler Via Unanimous Decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-45)
- Bo Nickal def. Paul Craig Via Unanimous Decision (30-27×3)
- No. 9 Viviane Araujo def. No. 5 Karine Silva Via Unanimous Decision (29-28×3)
- Mauricio Ruffy def. James Llontop Via Unanimous Decision (29-28×3)
Prelims
- Marcus McGhee def. No. 13 Jonathan Martinez Via Unanimous Decision (29-28×3)
- Chris Weidman vs. Eryk Anders – CANCELED
- Jim Miller def. Damon Jackson Via First-Round Submission (Guillotine)
- David Onama def. Roberto Romero Via Unanimous Decision (30-27×3)
- No. 9 Marcin Tybura def. Jhonata Diniz Via Second-Round TKO
Early Prelims
- Ramiz Brahimaj def. Mickey Gall Via First-Round KO
- Oban Elliott def. Bassil Hafez Via Third-Round KO
- Eduardo Moura def. Veronica Hardy Via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28×2)
