One-time UFC lightweight title contender Michael Chandler took a break from winding up Conor McGregor on The Ultimate Fighter to sing the praises of an old opponent. Chandler took to his YouTube channel to discuss Oliveira’s recent performance at UFC 289, declaring “Do Bronx” an “absolute savage.”
“Guys, Charles Oliveira in an absolute savage. Charles Oliveira vs. Beneil Dariush … Dariush on a long win streak. Charles Oliveira, obviously, with a ton of fire still in his belly, wanting to get that UFC title.
UFC: Michael Chandler Praises “Absolute Savage” Charles Oliveira
Charles Oliveira showed up under the brightest lights, the biggest opportunity, the title eliminator, to get him back to a title shot.
It remains to be seen if he will get the next title shot against Islam Makhachev but the way that he fought Saturday night at UFC 289, the dude looks like he is coming back for that title.”
Chandler once fought Oliveira for the vacant lightweight title, only to lose to Oliveira via TKO in the second round. Now, he’s convinced that Oliveira is one of the finest 155-pounders on the planet.
“I think the biggest thing that needs to be said about this performance — this is the title eliminator, this is Charles Oliveira staking his claim that ‘I am one of the best lightweights on the planet.’ He’s proven it time and time again.
Charles Oliveira 2.0 was our champion for four fights or so, finishing [Dustin] Poirier, finishing myself, finishing [Justin] Gaethje, obviously, losing to Makhachev. But this was a statement fight. Dariush ranked No. 4, Oliveira I believe ranked No. 1, 2, 3, somewhere in there.
He needed to come back, he needed to stake his claim as one of the best fighters on the planet at 155 pounds and the way that he did it with ebb and the flow, the give and the take of the fight.
Not being afraid to be on his back knowing that he has a BJJ black belt, knowing that Dariush was gonna feel just like I felt when I was in Charles’ guard.
He almost lulls you to sleep in the fact that you’re wondering, ‘Why is this guy willing to just lay there and take this damage or take the risk of taking damage?’”
Chandler is expected to face Conor McGregor at the conclusion of this season of The Ultimate Fighter, but he wants to share the cage with “Do Bronx” once more.
“Charles Oliveira is a savage. I hope to share the Octagon with him again eventually. I would like to run that one back, obviously. But the way he looked that night against Dariush, UFC 289, was absolutely masterful. Hats off to you, Charles.”
