After four rounds of sustained dominance over Michael Chandler in their rematch Saturday at UFC 309Former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira survived a furious rally in the fifth and final round to earn a second shot at the 155-pound title.
Oliveira (35-10, 1 NC) secured a unanimous decision with scores of 49-46, 49-46 and 49-45 in a thrilling co-main event fight at New York's Madison Square Garden. The fight marked the second meeting between two of the most exciting fighters on the UFC roster after Oliveira captured the vacant lightweight title by second-round TKO over Chandler (23-9) in 2021.
The 35-year-old Brazilian native Oliveira's thrilling dominance was on full display as he scored decisive takedowns in each of the first four rounds and brutally attacked Chandler with elbows and constant submission threats. But Chandler almost pulled off a mad miracle in Round 5 that showcased his insane cardio and never-say-die attitude.
“[Chandler] “It’s one of the toughest guys I’ve ever fought,” Oliveira said. “This guy deserves to be here.” This guy has my complete respect.
After his corner urged him to give it his all in the final round, Chandler responded forcefully, despite a two-year-old following a failed attempt to lure Conor McGregor to a pay-per-view showdown after both fighters had trained A break in the Octagon came to compete against each other in the reality series “The Ultimate Fighter” in 2023.
The 38-year-old Chandler fended off a takedown attempt to open round 5 before hurting Oliveira with a furious right hand punch to the eye. Chandler missed a follow-up punch that sent both fighters to the ground, but Chandler got on top and landed a series of punches and elbow strikes to the back of Oliveira's head, but was never reprimanded by referee Keith Peterson.
After taking the top position in Oliveira's defense, Chandler continued his attacks with sharp elbows that brought Oliveira close to the end. Although Oliveira was able to get back to his feet toward the end of the round, Chandler rocked him again with his left hand.
In the final minute of the fight, Oliveira landed a takedown and Chandler's back until the small and powerful lightweight stood up and dropped back to the canvas twice, slamming Oliveira behind him.
“All I can do is throw Americans’ caution to the wind,” Chandler said. “Madison Square Garden, aren’t you entertained!?”
The final round was a far cry from the first 20 minutes of the fight as Oliveira's poise and sharp striking were on full display. He hurt Chandler repeatedly with flying knees and damaged elbows from the top position on the floor.
In Round 3, Oliveira threatened to choke twice after physically dominating Chandler both on the feet and (even worse) on the ground after another successful takedown.
UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, who captured the title by submitting Oliveira in 2022, is expected to defend his title against Arman Tsarukyan in a rematch to open 2025. Oliveira dropped a split decision to Tsarukyan at UFC 300 in April.
“Hey, Hunter [Campbell]Mick [Maynard] and Dana [White]whoever is next in line [to fight for the UFC lightweight title]“I’ll be right there in the front row in January,” Oliveira said. “Whoever [wins]I'm next in line.
“With all due respect, if you hit me, hit me hard because I will last until the end.”
With the win, Oliveira moved into second place for most wins in UFC history with 23. He trails only 41-year-old Jim Miller, who recorded his 27th career UFC win on the undercard earlier in the night.