After a wild first round in the UFC 262 main event between Michael Chandler and Charles Oliveira, with both men having moments of significant advantage on the ground and Chandler landing some vicious strikes, Oliveira took control in Round 2. With a series of quick strikes of his own, Oliveira staggered Chandler, brought him down, then finished the fight Saturday night at Toyota Center in Houston.
Oliveira won the vacant UFC lightweight championship in his 28th fight in the promotion, and despite building a reputation as a submission specialist — a UFC-record 14 of his wins have ended that way — Oliveira proved how far he has come in rounding out his approach to fighting.
The world turned to social media to offer instant reactions to Oliveira’s victory.
Congrats to Olivera on becoming the 11th UFC lightweight champion.
Wonder who Twelve is…— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) May 16, 2021
Congratulations @CharlesDoBronxs you earned that the hard way! Head up @MikeChandlerMMA highest of the highs and lowest of the lows.
— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) May 16, 2021
It’s absolutely insane how quick things change in the @ufc @MikeChandlerMMA was cruising and :19 secs later @CharlesDoBronxs is the champion!!! What a fight! Congrats to the new king. 🇧🇷 You got another champion!!! #ufc262
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) May 16, 2021
You can see how much this means to Charles he’s been thru it all
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) May 16, 2021
WOW!!! HUGE congrats to @CharlesDoBronxs !!! Amazing performance and way to fight through real adversity! Amazing! #UFC262
— Stephen Thompson (@WonderboyMMA) May 16, 2021
Wow gotta be happy for Olivera! What a career he has had. Been fighting on cards with him since @ringofcombat! Amazing to watch it
— Chris Weidman (@chrisweidman) May 16, 2021
The jiu-Jitsu guy did the wrestling and the wrestler did jiu Jitsu 😳😳 @UFC
— Brian Ortega (@BrianTcity) May 16, 2021
Ohhh my gosh that was insane so fast wow #UFC262
— Mallory Martin (@MalloryyMartin) May 16, 2021
How awesome is this. Congrats to Charles Oliviera. What a fight, what a performance. What a champ!
— michael (@bisping) May 16, 2021
What a comeback and what a journey to get to the belt for Charles Oliveira! That was amazing. And Chandler is a monster as well as classy in defeat. Great event. #UFC262
— Tanner Boser (@BulldozerBoser) May 16, 2021
UNREAL!!! So good you gotta get blood on Dana’s beautiful bald head! What a turn around on what looked like the end for Oliveira! #UFC262
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) May 16, 2021
I want to See Olivera fight khabib SOOOOO badly right now
— Sam Alvey (@smilensam) May 16, 2021
What in the world!! That was crazy #UFC262
— Niko Price (@Nikohybridprice) May 16, 2021
Good ole Charlie Olives I know it I’m happy for u bro @CharlesDoBronxs!!!#UFC262 #andNew
— Jamahal “Sweet Dreams” Hill (@JamahalH) May 16, 2021
Charles Oliveira just spoiled a lot of plans
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) May 16, 2021