Charles Oliveira Calls Out Michael Chandler for Back-of-the-Head Shots at UFC 309
Charles Oliveira emerged victorious against Michael Chandler at UFC 309, earning a hard-fought unanimous decision. However, the Brazilian lightweight wasn’t entirely happy with the fight’s officiating, citing several infractions, including back-of-the-head shots.
Oliveira Criticizes Chandler for Illegal Strikes
During a tense fifth round, Chandler gained top position and unleashed a flurry of strikes on Oliveira. Fans and fighters alike raised concerns about some of the shots appearing to land on the back of Oliveira’s head. Addressing these during the post-fight media scrum, Oliveira was candid.
“I’m not here to criticize, but I want to tell you something. There were a lot of blows to the back of the head,” Oliveira said through a translator. “A lot of fence grabbing. There was also some eye pokes, and I was telling him (the ref) what was going on. I kept calling for his attention and nothing would happen.”
Despite his frustration with the referee’s inaction for the back of the head shots by Chandler, Charles Oliveira remained composed, focusing on his performance and the victory.
A Hard-Fought Win Against Chandler
The fight was a gritty contest, with Oliveira showcasing resilience and technical skill against Chandler’s aggression. The win not only reaffirmed Oliveira’s position as one of the lightweight division’s top contenders but also silenced Chandler’s pre-fight jab that “once a quitter, always a quitter.”
When asked if Chandler’s comments motivated him, Oliveira brushed them off. “It don’t matter what those people say because they always have to make up stuff to talk,” Oliveira said. “All I want to do is just train, be happy, come here with the team, and make it happen.”
What’s Next for Oliveira?
With 35 professional wins under his belt, Oliveira is on the verge of another title shot. However, he’s keeping his options open. One potential fight generating buzz is a clash with Conor McGregor, though Oliveira doesn’t seem optimistic about the matchup.
“This is the guy that runs away the most in the UFC. This fight’s not going to happen,” Oliveira said of McGregor. “Would it make sense? Yes. Would it be a good fight? Yes. Would people love it? Yes. We both sell fights well, but he chooses his opponents. This fight’s not happening.”
Whether it’s a title shot or another high-profile opponent, Oliveira is ready to step back into the Octagon and continue proving himself as one of the best in the division.
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
