Cover Photo: Troy Taormina – USA Today Sports.
By: Julio Olmo
UFC 262:
Charles Oliveira rallied to stop Michael Chandler and claimed the lightweight title, after it seemed that Chandler was in full control of the fight.
With the wild comeback win, Oliveira is now the new UFC lightweight champion of the world.
28 fights later. Charles Oliveira can call himself CHAMPION. 🏆
What an inspirational tale from 🇧🇷 @CharlesDoBronxs! #UFC262 pic.twitter.com/TLe2HQaNfP
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) May 16, 2021
It was dicey for a few moments for the Brazilian after the first round, but he bounced back from nearly getting stopped during the first round to blast Chandler and captured the vacant lightweight championship.
A right hand sent Oliveira back into the cage, and Chandler teed off with a barrage of punches and elbows to leave Oliveira bloody and bruised walking back to his corner to end the opening round. It looked to be Chandler’s fight and only a matter of time before he walked out the 155-pound champion.
But the one-minute in-between rounds is all Oliveira needed to gather himself and plot a punctuating comeback.
When the second round began, Chandler immediately landed a shot, and Oliveira countered with a blistering left hook to hurt Chandler. Sensing the opportunity was there for the taking, Oliveira connected on a picture-perfect right hand and then another right. Chandler attempted to create space, but Oliveira wasn’t giving him anything of the sort. Another left hook sent Chandler to the mat one final time. A barrage of short left hands and referee Dan Miragliotta jumped right in and stopped the fight.
Oliveira (31-8, one no-contest) jumped the Octagon to the commentary team and hugged UFC president Dana White.
The victory is Oliveira’s 17th via stoppage, which breaks the UFC record for the lightweight division. The championship win is Oliveira’s ninth consecutive win with eight of those coming via inside the distance.
Oliveira has jumped into the crowd. He is over the moon.
Oliveira breaks the record set by Michael Bisping at UFC 199 for most UFC fights needed to win UFC gold. Bisping needed 26. Oliveira breaks it at 28. And he’s only 31.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) May 16, 2021
The win is the latest in a nine-fight win streak. Oliveira hasn’t lost a fight since a TKO loss to Paul Felder in December 2017. Now he assumes the throne left behind by Khabib Nurmagomedov’s retirement.
With a thrilling win under this spotlight, bigger and better matchups await the new champion.
Do Bronx is dangerous 💥 #UFC262 pic.twitter.com/sQ3JnHcBtz
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) May 16, 2021
What say? Hard work paid off. A dream came true. Now I'm UFC lightweight champ. Thank you to my fans for all the support. You're special.
O que dizer? Meu esforço valeu a pena. O sonho se tornou realidade, me tornei campeão leve do UFC. Fãs, obrigado pelo apoio. #AFavelaVenceu
— Charles 'DoBronxs' Oliveira (@CharlesDoBronxs) May 16, 2021
(SPANISH VERSION) Danny Segura Host of Hablemos MMA and Contributor to MMA Junkie Recaps UFC 262.
Visit Jazz Sportsbook Website to place all your wagering on your favorite Fight Nights ODDS:
𝙊𝙣𝙚 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙨𝙡𝙚𝙚𝙥. #UFC262
Chandler +115
Oliveira -135Ferguson +138
Dariush -168Who are you betting on? pic.twitter.com/38m5X8Ar4V
— JAZZ Sportsbook (Official) (@SportsbookJazz) May 14, 2021
UFC Vegas 27 Preview:
ALL-ACTION BANTAMWEIGHT HEADLINER BETWEEN
(#3) ROB FONT AND (#4) CODY GARBRANDT
AT UFC® APEX IN LAS VEGAS
The bantamweight clash we have our eyes on 👀
💢 @RobSFont and @Cody_NoLove are coming at ya for #UFCVegas27. pic.twitter.com/T3IAGVN28k
— UFC (@ufc) May 16, 2021