The first time lightweights Charles Oliveira and Michael Chandler fight it was an absolute barn burner. On Saturday, the two ran it back inside Madison Square Garden in New York City in the UFC 309 co-main event.
The two first fought at UFC 262 in May 2021 for the vacant championship. After being badly hurt and nearly finished in the first round, Oliveira stopped Chandler early in the second frame. The fight went the distance on Saturday.
They touched gloves and Oliveira took the center of the octagon. Oliveira opened with a front kick. Chandler began to move forward. Oliveira pushed back against the pressure and backed Chandler up. They exchanged jabs. Chandler went to the body with a right hand. Oliveira delivered a counter right hand. Oliveira changed levels and took Chandler down. He isolated a leg.
Three minutes showed on the clock and Oliveira wads on top of Chandler with a leg isolated. Chandler remained calm and got his leg free. The former champion maintained control while Chandler delivered short shots from the bottom. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Oliveira.
Oliveira landed a hard leg kick to start the second frame. Chandler moved into the pocket with a combination. Oliveira landed a left hand. He went on the offense. Chandler retreated. Oliveira connected with a clean right hand. Chandler circles and nearly runs away. Oliveira connected with another right hand. Oliveira pressuring Chandler. Oliveira delivered a knee. Chandler began loading up on punches. Oliveira rushed forward and took Chandler down. He quickly mounted Chandler midway through the round.
Chandler peppered Oliveira with short punches from the bottom. Oliveira postured up and delivered a couple of elbows. Oliveira briefly looked for an arm before switching back to connecting with elbows. The round ended with Oliveira in the mount. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Oliveira.
Chandler landed his jab to start the third round. Oliveira responded with a leg kick. Oliveira began walking Chandler down. He landed an uppercut. Chandler responded ieht a stiff jab. Oliveira jumped in with a knee. Chandler missed with a winging left hand. Oliveira landed a counter uppercut and clinched.
Oliveira pulled Chandler to the canvas, took his back, and applied a body lock. Oliveira delivered the newly legal 10-6 o’clock elbows to the top of Chandler’s head. Oliveira looked for a rear-naked choke but Chandler defended it. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Oliveira.
Oliveira looked for a takedown early but Chandler moved away. Chandler landed a right hand. He connected with another left hand. Oliveira moved in with a right. Chandler responded with a hard left hand. Oliveira changed levels and took Chandler down while taking his back. Chandler rolled to his knees but Oliveira remained on him. At the midway mark, Oliveira applied a body triangle. Chandler exploded and scrambled but Oliveira stayed with him although he lost the body triangle. Oliveira locked on a rear-naked choke. Chandler defended the submission attempt. Oliveira re-applied the body triangle. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Oliveira.
They touched gloves to start the final frame. Chandler went to the body with a left hand. He delivered another. Oliveira looked to get the fight to the ground but Chandler shook off the attempt. Chandler landed a right hand. Joe landed another hard right hand. Oliveira is hurt. Oliveira went for a takedown. Chandler delivered hammer fists to his head. Oliveira pulled Candler down into his guard trying to hang on. Chandler delivered two hard elbows. He postured up and dropped down with a right hand.
What a turn of events! Oliveira looked for a triangle choke. Chandler defended it and Oliveira got back to his feet with just under two minutes remaining. Chandler landed a left hand that wobbled Oliveira. Oliveira ducked under a punch and took Chandler down. He took Chandler’s back. Oliveira was in a lot of trouble before the takedown. Chandler rolled and stood. Oliveira remained on his back. Chandler jumped in the air and flopped on Oliveira. He did it again. Oliveira stated on him. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Chandler.
The judges scored the fight for Oliveira via unanimous decision. The scorecards read 49-46, 49-46, and 49-45.
