The UFC 262: Michael Chandler vs. Charles Oliveira main card UFC Odds are available. Read on for our complete betting guide and preview on this weekend’s favorite matchups, including updated odds and our free expert betting predictions.
Michael Chandler vs. Charles Oliveira
UFC Lightweight Championship Bout
The former Bellator multiple time champion Michael Chandler has risen through the UFC rankings with just one fight for the UFC. We cannot be overly surprised with this outcome considering his extensive background in MMA and impressive resume. The former NCAA Division I All-American will be headhunting for another knockout victory, but this time with the highest of implications – UFC gold.
His opponent, Charles Oliveira, has turned a losing streak from 2015 into a seven-fight consecutive winning streak which is now placing the talented Brazilian in line for a lightweight championship. The sleek black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu owns more submission finishes than any other competitor on the UFC roster, something his opponent will be required to keep in mind during their five-round war.
Deciding on a straight-up winner for this contest is challenging; both men excel in all areas under opposite disciplines. Chandler has the wrestling chops with one-punch knockout power, whereas Oliveira owns the BJJ grappling and technical muay thai (ish) striking base.
All signs are pointing towards this fight ending inside the distance. And with some decent value on the under 2 and a ½ rounds, I can easily visualize this fight ending before the seven-and-a-half-minute mark.
UFC Best Bet: Under 2 and a half rounds at -141 with BetMGM
Beneil Dariush vs. Tony Ferguson
Saturday, May 15, 2021 – 11:05 PM EDT at Toyota Center
Tony “El CuCuy” Ferguson, without a doubt, is a future Hall of Famer. A diverse skill set combined with an illustrious and hard to read style has pitted the American born lightweight contender as a true fan favorite. A decorated background in wrestling with an All-American label on two occasions, fighting has been with Ferguson since an early time in his life.
Beneil Dariush is tired of being underrated, and this stance has become apparent through his six-fight winning streak. This stance has awarded the Iranian native a high-profile contest on a UFC pay-per-view for the first time during his UFC tenure.
Critics often celebrate the dangerous submission game of Ferguson. Still, we should note that Dariush is an overly accomplished BJJ black belt with countless jiu-jitsu tournament wins under his MMA record. Ferguson is riding the first two-fight losing streak of his career, and yes, we can argue that he thrives with a crowded arena, but the decline has been evident. The wars Ferguson has been through are taking their tole; it’s a position to fade the beloved snap-jitsu enthusiast.
UFC Best Bet: Beneil Dariush at -165 with Unibet
Rogerio Bontorin vs. Matt Schnell
Saturday, May 15, 2021 – 09:05 PM EDT at Toyota Center
Matt Schnell has undoubtedly lit up the flyweight division in recent years; a 5-1 record from his previous six UFC contests proves the doubters that Schnell is no rookie to the world of MMA. The most notable aspect of Schnell’s ability is the evolution he provides fight-to-fight; a questionable striking offence was put to bed once he stood and brawled with Tyson Nam during his previous outing.
Rogerio Bontorin is 2-2 since his UFC debut and made his way onto the scene through an impressive read naked choke on ‘Dana White’s Contender Series’. Great grappling, a mixture of clinch and wrestling work, has been put on display, and much like his opponent, the striking offence has been questioned.
Matt Schnell is calm, relaxed, and collected inside the octagon. The apparent downside to Schnell would be his chin; with a handful of significant losses via knockout, I worry if a firefight was to occur. With that said, Schnell has shown many improvements in his offensive striking and Bontorin not so much. An equal grappling presence but a favored striking offense for Schnell makes me believe that Louisiana’s own can get the job done this weekend.
UFC Best Bet: Matt Schnell to win at -152 with SBK
