UFC 262: Charles Oliveira knocks out Michael Chandler to claim lightweight title in thrilling comeback win
- Oliveira survives big first-round trouble to TKO former Bellator champ 19 seconds into the second round of main event
- ‘Michael said I couldn’t take pressure and he hit, hit, hit, and I’m still here. Jesus, here’s the belt,’ says the Brazilian
Charles Oliveira pulled off one of the greatest comeback victories in MMA after nearly being finished in the first round to knock out Michael Chandler at UFC 262.
The 31-year-old Brazilian (31-8) got the TKO victory after just 19 seconds of the second round in Houston, Texas, then vaulted the cage to speak with Dana White and celebrate with fans at the Toyota Centre.
“Do Bronx” was openly weeping as he danced around outside the Octagon, and was still in tears as he hugged his team and spoke to joe Rogan for his post-fight interview.
“I deserve it, I wanted to come here and show I’m the best,” Oliveira said. “Hey Dana, you brought him from Bellator, I told you I was gonna knock him out. I came and knocked him out. I proved to everybody I’m the lion of lions.
The 35-year-old American Chandler, a former Bellator lightweight champion, had earned the shot at the title vacated by Khabib Nurmagomedov just two fights into his UFC career, after a stunning debut first-round TKO against Dan Hooker in January.
He wobbled Oliveira early in the first round, but then the Brazilian took his back and looked for the rear-naked choke, only for Chandler to escape and pore on some big shots on the ground against the fence with the finish looking inevitable.