Charles Oliveria and Michael Chandler face off for the lightweight title in the main event of UFC 262 at the Toyota Center in Houston.
Michael “Iron” Chandler comes into this fight with a 22-5 record overall but this will only be his second fight in the UFC. Even though this is only his second fight, Hooker has had quite the career including a lot of success inside the Bellator so this moment shouldn’t be too big for him. Chandler’s only fight inside the UFC came in January of 2021 against Dan Hooker and it didn’t take long for the newcomer to find success.2:30 in the first round, Chandler landed the big punch that ended the fight, and launched him into this fight. Chandler is averaging 4.29 significant strikes a minute while absorbing 3.76 significant strikes per minute. Chandler is also averaging 2.37 successful takedowns but is only successful on 41 percent of his takedown attempts.
On the other side of this matchup is Charles Oliveria who comes into this fight with a 30-8 record overall and he has won eight fights in a row. Oliveria’s last fight came against Tony Ferguson in December of 2020 and he was able to win by unanimous decision. Oliveria outstruck Ferguson 41-19 and had three takedowns and that was the difference in the dominating fashion. Oliveria is averaging 3.22 significant strikes per minute while absorbing 2.94 significant strikes per minute. Oliveria likes to get the fight to the ground and is averaging 2.64 takedowns every 15 minutes and he is successful on 44 percent of those attempts. Oliveria is also stopping 57 percent of his opponents takedown attempts. Oliveria loves to go for submission attempts and two fights ago against Kevin Lee he won by Guillotine choke.
This is a big test for Chandler, something he has even admitted, but he has the knockout power to get the job done in this one. Look for Chandler to throw his hands early and he is going to catch Oliveria with a big one that will change the outcome of the fight. Back Chandler on the money line.