The UFC lightweight title will be on the line on Saturday in Houston, as Charles Oliveira takes on Michael Chandler. These two will be fighting for a title that former champion Khabib Nurmagomedov gave up after he announced his retirement. Oliveira is 30-8 and on an eight-fight winning streak, while Chandler 22-5 and on a three-fight winning streak. This fight is the headliner of a five-fight main pay-per-view card. There are also seven preliminary bouts, with four on ESPN/ESPN+ and three on UFC Fight Pass. Let’s look at the bout between Oliveira and Chandler and UFC predictions.
UFC 262: Oliveira vs. Chandler Betting
Charles Oliveira (30-8, 18-8 UFC)
Oliveira came into the UFC with a record of 12-0 and he has 18 wins and eight losses in the UFC. In his last five fights, he has five wins and no losses. He won a unanimous decision against Tony Ferguson in December of last year, submitted Kevin Lee in March of last year, knocked out Jared Gordon in November of 2019, won by TKO against Nik Lentz in May of 2019 and submitted David Teymur in February of 2019. Oliveira has been a pro since 2008 and he has 12 wins by TKO/KO and eight by submission. He has 15 first round finishes.
Oliveira is an excellent submission fighter, but he has substantially improved his striking in recent years. He is more than capable of getting a knockout in this fight against Chandler and there is every reason to believe this fight turns into a striking battle.
Michael Chandler (22-5, 1-0 UFC)
Chandler came into the UFC with a record of 21-5 and he has one win and no losses in the UFC. He won by TKO against Dan Hooker in January in his UFC debut. He went 3-1 in his previous four fights. He knocked out Benson Henderson in August of 2020, knocked out Sidney Outlaw in December of 2019, lost by TKO to Patricio Freire in May of 2019, and won a unanimous decision against Brent Primus in December of 2018. Chandler has been a pro since 2009 and he has 10 wins by TKO/KO and seven by submission. He has 13 first round finishes.
Striking Stats
Strikes landed per minute: Oliveira 3.22/ Chandler 4.29
Striking Accuracy: Oliveira 52% / Chandler 49%
Strikes absorbed per minute: Oliveira 2.94/ Chandler 3.76
Defense: Oliveira 54% / Chandler 52%
Grappling Stats
Takedown average: Oliveira 2.64 / Chandler 2.37
Takedown Accuracy: Oliveira 44% / Chandler 41%
Takedowns defended: Oliveira 57% / Chandler 80%
Submission average: Oliveira 2.8 / Chandler 1.4
UFC Picks
This is a class fight for me. Oliveira has proven he can fight and beat top fighters in the UFC, while Chandler has proven nothing. He is getting a title fight in just his second UFC bout. I still think there is a major difference between the UFC and Bellator and the level of competition in Bellator is simply not as good. Chandler is going to have to prove to me he is worthy of facing top fighters in the UFC before I bet on him. I will take Oliveira to get this win.
UFC 262: Oliveira vs. Chandler Card & Odds
Lightweight - Michael Chandler +105 vs. Charles Oliveira -135
Lightweight - Tony Ferguson +150 vs. Beneil Dariush -190
Women's Flyweight - Viviane Araujo +110 vs. Katlyn Chookagian -140
Featherweight - Edson Barboza +105 vs. Shane Burgos -135
Women's Flyweight - Priscila Cachoeira +165 vs. Gina Mazany -210
Women's Flyweight - Andrea Lee +100 vs. Antonina Shevchenko -130
Middleweight - Jamie Pickett -115 vs. Jordan Wright -115
Middleweight - Andre Muniz -115 vs. Ronaldo Souza -115
Lightweight - Lando Vannata -105 vs. Mike Grundy -125
Featherweight - Tucker Lutz -125 vs. Kevin Aguilar -105
Bantamweight - Rogerio Bontorin +127 vs. Matt Schnell -160
Lightweight - Sean Soriano +183 vs. Christos Giagos -235
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