UFC 262 analysis: Charles Oliveira has the tools to ruin Michael Chandler’s master plan
Following the (delayed) retirement of Khabib Nurmagomedov, the UFC lightweight division is finally ready to crown a new champion. While Dustin Poirier and Conor McGregor settle their differences in July, either Michael Chandler or Charles Oliveira will earn the defining moment of their careers at UFC 262 when they fight for the belt in the main event.
Both fighters have worked their way to this title opportunity in very different ways. Chandler was the former Bellator champion, a dominant stalwart in the organization, who ultimately left in 2020 looking to prove he is the best in the world. He instantly made an impact in his first octagon appearance, knocking out contender Dan Hooker in just two minutes. Chandler is a ferocious puncher with a solid ground game, with 13 KOs and 7 submissions to his credit.
Oliveira did things differently, inside the UFC walls. The Brazilian defeated everyone who stood in his way and is riding an eight-fight win streak since 2017. Among others, he defeated Tony Ferguson, Kevin Lee and Jim Miller during this stretch and believes Chandler is just another fighter on the road to greatness in UFC. He is elusive on the ground and most of his 30 wins are by submission.
The question on Saturday night is whether Chandler can land his powerful punches or whether Oliveira will make the UFC newcomer play his game on the canvas.
The big picture.
This is a great fight. They’re both very tough. I think it’s going to be a fast paced fight and given the two competitors, someone is likely to get knocked out or submitted.
Chandler is a man who takes the center of the cage and drives his opponents back with his pressure. He uses his jab very well as a rangefinder, and has a great overhand right, a right to the body and a solid left hook to the head – just ask Dan Hooker. Chandler really throws big bombs coming from everywhere. But ultimately, what he wants to do is close the distance, put pressure on his opponents, land that big punch and knock them down. I don’t know if that’s what he wants to do against Oliveira, but when you boil it down, that’s what I think Chandler is: the Mike Tyson of MMA. I love his style, but he’s going to have a challenge against Oliveira.
Unlike Chandler’s boxing stance, Oliveira fights tall, like a Muay Thai fighter. He has a high guard and with that stance, he can kick and throw knees very well. He stands like that so he can throw his kicks. He’s still very good with his hands and he’s a fantastic fighter. He can take you down, but we know him as a submission artist.
