The recent retirement of Khabib Nurmaagomedov means the UFC lightweight championship title is up for grabs, which triggered a fight between two commanding fighters in the sport today. UFC 262 kicks off on Saturday, May 15, with a headlining fight between Michel Chandler and Charles Oliveira.

Oliveira has been in form following his knockout loss to Paul Fielder in 2017. Since then, he’s become a much better fighter and has put together a perfect 8-0 record. Meanwhile, Chandler’s path to a title fight is slightly different. This is only the American’s second time to step into the UFC octagon after making his debut in January 2021 against Dan Hooker, winning the bout by TKO in the first round.

NitroBetting brings you a closer look at the main event. Here, you will find detailed information on both fighters, the main talking points, updated UFC odds, and our very own expert betting predictions. Strengthen your picks with the help of this UFC 261 preview and work your way to winning bets.

UFC 262 Event Info

• When: Saturday, May 15, 2021, 10:00 PM ET (Main Card)
• Where: Toyota Center, Houston, Texas
• TV: ESPN+
• Live Stream: UFC Fight Pass

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UFC 262 Main Card Odds

Chandler vs. Oliveira Preview

Michael Chandler

• MMA Record: 22-5-0

Chandler mostly made a name for himself in Bellator. Before making the transition to UFC, he recorded 10 knockouts and 7 submissions. Three of his five losses came by knockouts. These are exciting times for the fighter as he takes on the challenge of the UFC in this bout.

We anticipate that Chandler will utilize his wrestling skills. He also boasts power punches among his weapons. Chandler has a lengthy background in wrestling, being part of the Big 12 as well as the NCAA’s first division tournament during his college years. This goes well with his unorthodox striking techniques that put lots of pressure on his opponents through forward movements.

Chandler also loves to lure opponents into situations where they’d be in vulnerable to swift counters. Many see this as an unusual counter-punching technique but seems like it works well for Chandler’s needs.

Charles Oliveira

• MMA Record: 30-8-0

It’s been fun watching Oliveira develop into a better fighter. We first witnessed the Brazilian mixed martial artist showcase his skills in the UFC when he was only 20, scoring a submission in the first-round over Darren Elkins.

As of now, Oliveira sits on a 30-8 record, which features eight knockouts and 19 submissions. His eight losses come from a combination of four knockouts and three submissions.

Versatility will be Oliveira’s number one weapon in this fight, combining elite-level submissions and swift strikes coming from different angles when standing. His wrestling skills have vastly improved as well as evident in his fight with Tony Ferguson where he effortlessly took down his opponent three times.

Putting this together with his striking makes him a threat to anyone he faces. He has a fearless way of delivering straightforward strikes and is willing to take a blow or two along the way just to land one.

Chandler vs. Oliveira UFC 262 Betting Trends

• Oliveira won his last three fights with a knockout, submission, and a unanimous decision.
• In Oliveira’s last 10 fights, 2 ended in the third round.
• In Oliveira’s eight-fight win streak, seven came by stoppage.
• Chandler won his last three fights with three knockouts.
• Chandler finished his last 3 fights before the third round.
• Out of 22 wins, Chandler won 5 via decision.

UFC 262 Expert Betting Predictions

The numbers are close, but Oliveira might have a slight advantage on paper. Oliveira prepared for this moment his entire life, while racking up impressive wins along the way. This is his first title shot in his 28th UFC fight, and he steps into the Octagon on an eight-fight winning streak. He has plenty of UFC experience, and we expect to see this as the bell rings.

On the other hand, Chandler is hungry and determined to make a strong impact in the UFC. His three wins in a row give him the confidence in this Oliveira vs Chandler fight. Ultimately, we expect a close fight between the two, with plenty of winning opportunities coming for bettors.

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