UFC free fight: Charles Oliveira captures lightweight title with comeback finish of Michael Chandler

Charles Oliveira proved he had championship mettle when he battled through some early adversity against Michael Chandler.

Oliveira faced Chandler for the vacant lightweight title in the main event of UFC 262. It took “Do Bronx” 28 octagon appearances to earn his first-career title shot.

Round 1 was action packed. Oliveira dropped Chandler with a leg kick early. Chandler charged forward with a combination, prompting Oliveira to shoot for a takedown. Chandler then latched onto a guillotine, but Oliveira popped out and transitioned to his back. Chandler tried to slam his way out of it and eventually escaped. Toward the end of the round, Chandler rocked Oliveira with a big right hand, but the Brazilian survived.

Just when it looked like the momentum was on Chandler’s side, Oliveira tagged an overzealous Chandler with a counter left and finished him to capture the UFC lightweight title.

Oliveira (31-8 MMA, 19-8 UFC) returns to action on Dec. 11 when he takes on Dustin Poirier (28-6 MMA, 21-6 UFC) in the main event of UFC 269, which takes place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Before he faces Poirier, relive Oliveira’s finish of Chandler in the video above.