Charles Oliveira (image via UFC/YouTube)

By FCF Staff

Charles Oliveira understands that Michael Chandler packs a heavy punch as well as top-tier takedowns. But, the lightweight has no intention of abandoning his pressuring style when he battles Chandler at UFC 262.

After winning eight straight fights, Oliveira (30-8, 1 NC) has been booked to face the former Bellator champ for the vacant title, on May 15th. Chandler (22-5) has been tapped for the opportunity after quickly taking out Dan Hooker in what was his UFC debut, this past January.

Recently Oliveira spoke with MMA Fighting, and while discussing Chandler’s game, ‘do Bronx’ said this.

“I’ll respect him, but I’ll walk forward the entire time. If he comes to hit me hard, he’ll eat a counter. We both walk forward all the time. It will be two trucks colliding. I’m not afraid of getting hit. Hit me. If he takes me down, I’ll be doing what I love the most, which is jiu-jitsu. I’m not worried if I stay on the feet or get taken down.

“All he has is a heavy hand, a heavy punch. I’m complete on the feet and complete on the ground. The only thing he has better than me is wrestling, but I’ll use my jiu-jitsu if he tries to wrestle me so it makes no difference to me.

“Every wrestler that took me down, I made it happen. Will Brooks came from Bellator as the man and I took him down and caught him. I fought David Teymur, who had how many kickboxing matches, and I beat him on the feet before he took me down and I tapped him. Brother, I respect him a lot, but this is my time.”

In Oliveira’s last outing, at UFC 256 in December, he worked his way to a decisive, decision win over Tony Ferguson.

UFC 262 will take place in Houston, Texas.