Charles Oliveira expects a standup battle against Michael Chandler at UFC 262.
Charles Oliveira might have used his takedowns to neutralise the offence of Tony Ferguson, but ‘Do Bronx’ is happy to stand and trade with Michael Chandler at UFC 262, where both men will collide for the vacant lightweight title on May 16 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.
Oliveira is one of the most well-rounded fighters at 155 pounds and, although the Brazilian may have an advantage over Chandler on the ground, Oliveira is confident in his ability to catch — and finish — the former Bellator lightweight champion with a counter shot.
“If he takes me down, he will do me a favor. I believe he will pretty much try to keep the fight standing and repeat what he did with Dan Hooker, but if he has one good punch, I have many more combinations,” Oliveira told Sherdog.com in a recent interview. “Furthermore, I´ll not run from him like Hooker did. On the contrary, for each of his attempts, I will have a stronger answer. Of course Chandler deserves credit for that debut win, but if Hooker were not so concerned to talk bulls—t about me in the week of the fight, I´m sure that he could have done better. He always comes very strong, and I´ll catch him with a counter hit.
Chandler is fresh off a highlight-reel knockout of Dan Hooker at UFC 257 while Oliveira is riding an eight-fight win streak, with standout victories over ‘El Cucuy’, Kevin Lee, and Jim Miller. The latter holds the record for the most submission wins in the UFC (14) as well as being tied for most finishes at 16.
UFC 262, which will feature Oliveira vs. Chandler as the main event, is scheduled to take place on May 16.