Charles Oliveira Earns Title Shot

By Tim Burke November 18, 2024 09:00

Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC

UFC 309 is in the books, and it comes as no shock that UFC 309’s co-main event between Charles Oliveira and Michael Chandler won fight of the night honors. However, the fight ending in a decision was an absolute shock.

For the first time in his career, we saw a composed Michael Chandler. He was willing to give away rounds instead of taking risks that would likely put him in a compromising position. Chandler’s newfound poise in the octagon did not stop Charles Oliveira from dominating him in front of 20,200 fans at Madison Square Garden. Charles Oliveira won every exchange and completely controlled the grappling game every round.

Oliveira used his striking to set up takedown attempts and try to submit Michael Chandler. Every round, he executed his game plan, but Michael Chandler avoided being submitted and defended submissions very well.

Still, Chandler spent the whole fight defending and was not good enough to win against the former lightweight champion, seemingly ending his title aspirations. For Charles Oliveira, it appears that a chance to reclaim his title is on the horizon for 2025.

1st row in January. Who's nxt" Charles Oliveira tweeted following his UFC 309 win. The January fight he refers to is UFC 311's main event between Islam Makhachev and Arman Tsurykan.

The 35-year-old Oliveira showed his desire and heart against Michael Chandler on Saturday. Despite losses to Islam Makhachev and Arman Tsurykan, Charles Oliveira has shown time and time again that he is an elite fighter in the lightweight division. Wins over Beneil Dariush and Michael Chandler and a hard-fought battle against Arman Tsurykan have shown that Oliveira remains among the most dangerous fighters on the UFC roster.

Following Oliveira's second victory over Michael Chandler, he is now second place all-time in wins in UFC history, and his 20 fight night bonuses are the most in UFC history. If that's not impressive enough, Oliveira also dominated Michael Chandler while battling through an injury.

I didn't want to talk about it because if we lose, it's taken as an excuse. If we win, we value it. But I had a knee injury. I tore or burst ligaments. I was supposed to be out of action for four to six weeks. But I didn't want to pull out of this fight because I knew that if I won, I could fight for the title again. I had to do physiotherapy every day and try to train with the pain, but I spent practically 15 to 20 days without training properly. I really focused on weight training, which was the only thing I could do." Oliveira's told UFC Fight to pass Brazil post-fight. Oliveira's risk paid off. In January, he will be in the front row for Makhachev vs. Tsurykan 2.

He will likely get a chance to reclaim his title. Can Charles Oliveira's do it? Historically and stylistically, he has a better chance against Tsarukyan than Makhachev. But what makes Charles Oliveira's so great and beloved is that he gets knocked down but always comes back. Can Oliveira cement himself as an all-time great? He already has in the eyes of many, but regaining the title will leave no doubt about the future UFC Hall of Famer's greatness.