The primary time lightweights Charles Oliveira and Michael Chandler struggle it was an absolute barn burner. On Saturday, the 2 ran it again inside Madison Sq. Backyard in New York Metropolis within the UFC 309 co-main occasion.
The 2 first fought at UFC 262 in Might 2021 for the vacant championship. After being badly damage and almost completed within the first spherical, Oliveira stopped Chandler early within the second body. The struggle went the space on Saturday.
They touched gloves and Oliveira took the middle of the octagon. Oliveira opened with a entrance kick. Chandler started to maneuver ahead. Oliveira pushed again towards the stress and backed Chandler up. They exchanged jabs. Chandler went to the physique with a proper hand. Oliveira delivered a counter proper hand. Oliveira modified ranges and took Chandler down. He remoted a leg.
Three minutes confirmed on the clock and Oliveira wads on high of Chandler with a leg remoted. Chandler remained calm and received his leg free. The previous champion maintained management whereas Chandler delivered brief pictures from the underside. MMAWeekly scored the spherical 10-9 for Oliveira.
Oliveira landed a tough leg kick to start out the second body. Chandler moved into the pocket with a mixture. Oliveira landed a left hand. He went on the offense. Chandler retreated. Oliveira linked with a clear proper hand. Chandler circles and almost runs away. Oliveira linked with one other proper hand. Oliveira pressuring Chandler. Oliveira delivered a knee. Chandler started loading up on punches. Oliveira rushed ahead and took Chandler down. He rapidly mounted Chandler halfway by means of the spherical.
Chandler peppered Oliveira with brief punches from the underside. Oliveira postured up and delivered a few elbows. Oliveira briefly appeared for an arm earlier than switching again to connecting with elbows. The spherical ended with Oliveira within the mount. MMAWeekly scored the spherical 10-9 for Oliveira.
Chandler landed his jab to start out the third spherical. Oliveira responded with a leg kick. Oliveira started strolling 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 again, and utilized a physique lock. Oliveira delivered the newly authorized 10-6 o’clock elbows to the highest of Chandler’s head. Oliveira appeared for a rear-naked choke however Chandler defended it. MMAWeekly scored the spherical 10-9 for Oliveira.
Oliveira appeared for a takedown early however Chandler moved away. Chandler landed a proper hand. He linked with one other left hand. Oliveira moved in with a proper. Chandler responded with a tough left hand. Oliveira modified ranges and took Chandler down whereas taking his again. Chandler rolled to his knees however Oliveira remained on him. On the halfway mark, Oliveira utilized a physique triangle. Chandler exploded and scrambled however Oliveira stayed with him though he misplaced the physique triangle. Oliveira locked on a rear-naked choke. Chandler defended the submission try. Oliveira re-applied the physique triangle. MMAWeekly scored the spherical 10-9 for Oliveira.
They touched gloves to start out the ultimate body. Chandler went to the physique with a left hand. He delivered one other. Oliveira appeared to get the struggle to the bottom however Chandler shook off the try. Chandler landed a proper hand. Joe landed one other exhausting proper hand. Oliveira is damage. Oliveira went for a takedown. Chandler delivered hammer fists to his head. Oliveira pulled Candler down into his guard making an attempt to hold on. Chandler delivered two exhausting elbows. He postured up and dropped down with a proper hand.
What a flip of occasions! Oliveira appeared for a triangle choke. Chandler defended it and Oliveira received again to his toes with slightly below two minutes remaining. Chandler landed a left hand that wobbled Oliveira. Oliveira ducked beneath a punch and took Chandler down. He took Chandler’s again. Oliveira was in a variety of hassle earlier than the takedown. Chandler rolled and stood. Oliveira remained on his again. Chandler jumped within the air and flopped on Oliveira. He did it once more. Oliveira said on him. MMAWeekly scored the spherical 10-9 for Chandler.
The judges scored the struggle for Oliveira through unanimous choice. The scorecards learn 49-46, 49-46, and 49-45.