It doesn’t get much better for MMA fans than a UFC main event. UFC 262 will feature Charles Oliveira vs Michael Chandler in a lightweight title bout. Oddsmakers have both fighters listed at relatively close odds, but Oliveira has opened as the favorite. They’re similar fighters, but there’s better value on Chandler, so I’m willing to take a shot with him.
UFC 262 has tons of excellent fight matchups on the main card, but of course, all eyes will be on Charles Oliveira vs Michael Chandler. As the main event for the evening, the two lightweights will be duking it out for the lightweight title, which was left vacant after Khabib Nurmagomedov retired. New Jersey online sports betting sites have opened Oliveira as the betting, and for good reason. Oliveira is tough as nails and a highly skilled submission artist. Most of his career victories have come via submission, and although Chandler’s takedown defense is strong, it wouldn’t surprise anyone to see Oliveira get the best of him on the mat. NJ’s top MMA betting site recommends rolling with Oliveira as a slight betting favorite, but there’s decent betting value if you go with Chandler. You can check out the NJ sportsbook reviews for a look at the best places to bet on the upcoming lightweight title match, but Chandler’s best money line odds are on Fanduel at +116. Oliveira’s best value can be found on the Sugar House sportsbook, where they have him listed at -134. It’s hard to choose between the top two contenders in the lightweight division, but somebody has to win, and for my online UFC betting pick, I think it’s going to be Chandler. Chandler is fresh off a victory against Dan Hooker, and he measures up to Oliveira in nearly every statistical category. He’s not as skilled as Oliveira is on the mat, but Chandler packs enough of a wallop to KO his opponents. Oliveira might hold off Chandler using his Jiu-Jitsu wizardry, but if Chandler can find an opening, I seriously think that Oliveira will be in big trouble. There’s a reason why Oliveira hasn’t lost in eight fights, but I think that if anyone can surprise him, it’s Chandler.
I believe this fight will end in either one of two ways: Oliveira finished Chandler on the mat, or Chandler knocks him out. It’s safer to bank on Oliveira forcing him into submission, but for the value, I’m more than comfortable going with Chandler. My prediction: Chandler wins by KO in the 2nd round.
