Charles Oliveira rallies to earn TKO win over Michael Chandler and UFC lightweight title

Charles Oliveira has a penchant for doing things the hard way.

It took 27 fights and 10 years in the UFC for him to reach the point of earning a title shot in the promotion. On his 28th UFC bout, he lifted lightweight gold after overcoming some early adversity against Michael Chandler at UFC 262.

Chandler had Oliveira hurt early, forcing the latter to hunt for the takedown. The Brazilian got it, only to land in a tight-looking guillotine choke.

Oliveira escaped before taking his opponent’s back. The Brazilian Jiu Jitsu ace, who holds the UFC record for the most wins by submissions, had Chandler in a crushing body triangle as he looked to manoeuvre his way around on the ground. Surprisingly, Chandler was able to explode out of that precarious position to escape.

When the fight returned to its feet, Chandler hurt Oliveira once more. The American landed a series of heavy punches that clearly Oliveira in trouble. Chandler was happy to sit in Oliveira’s dangerous guard to land more punishing blows from on top, but he wasn’t able to finish his foe before the horn sounded to end round one.

The momentum was clearly in Chandler’s favour going into the second stanza. However, Oliveira swung things back his way with his ever-improving striking game.

Just seconds into round two, Oliveira clipped Chandler with a clean left hook. “Do Bronx” then hunted Chandler down as he was retreating backwards towards the cage. Another left from Oliveira sent Chandler down to the canvas and then the former drove a series of punches to force the stoppage.

A remarkable comeback and performance from Oliveira in a fight that symbolised his still-evolving MMA career.

 

Beneil Dariush out-grapples Tony Ferguson en route to decision win

Beneil Dariush got the biggest win of his career as the out-fought and out-thought former UFC interim lightweight champion Tony Ferguson on his way to a unanimous decision victory.

The Kings MMA representative was able to dictate where the fight went and that was largely down on the floor.

Across all three rounds, Dariush was able to take Ferguson down and work his ground and pound as well as threaten with his submission skills.

The most notable submission attempt came in the second round when Dariush cranked on a heel hook. Grimacing in pain, the tough-as-nails Ferguson somehow gutted it out to escape, though Dariush was certain after the fight that Ferguson’s knee “popped” during that grappling exchange.

In that same second round, Ferguson briefly came close to securing a brabo choke. However, Dariush defended well and mostly looked comfortable in Ferguson’s guard despite the danger he can pose from that disadvantageous position on the mat.

Unfortunately for “El Cucuy”, he was unable to offer much else in terms of offense to reverse his fortunes in this contest. Dariush was just one step ahead of him in all areas on this night.

All three judges scored the contest 30-27 in Dariush’s favour. That sees Dariush finally break through to the upper echelons of the UFC lightweight division, while Ferguson suffers his third consecutive defeat.

 

UFC 262: Oliveira vs. Chandler full results

Lightweight: Charles Oliveira def. Michael Chandler by TKO (punches) at 0:19 of round two
Lightweight: Beneil Dariush def. Tony Ferguson by unanimous decision after three rounds
Catchweight: Rogério Bontorin def. Matt Schnell by unanimous decision after three rounds
Women’s Flyweight: Katlyn Chookagian def. Viviane Araújo by unanimous decision after three rounds
Featherweight: Edson Barboza def. Shane Burgos by KO (punches) at 1:16 of round three
Middleweight: André Muniz def. Ronaldo Souza by Technical Submission (armbar) at 3:59 of round one
Featherweight: Lando Vannata def. Mike Grundy by split decision after three rounds
Middleweight: Jordan Wright def. Jamie Pickett by TKO (punches) at 1:04 of round one
Women’s Flyweight: Andrea Lee def. Antonina Shevchenko by submission (triangle armbar) at 4:52 of round two
Women’s Flyweight: Priscila Cachoeira def. Gina Mazany by TKO (punches) at 4:51 of round two
Featherweight: Tucker Lutz def. Kevin Aguilar by unanimous decision after three rounds
Lightweight: Christos Giagos def. Sean Soriano by Technical Submission (brabo choke) at 0:59 of round two