The main event of UFC 309 was a blockbuster, no doubt, but the co-main between Charles Oliveira and Michael Chandler was no less than a controversial mega show. The former lightweight champ Charles Oliveira clinched the victory over Chandler, and the fight went five rounds. The fifth round, however, was the most entertaining to watch.

The co-main stole the show, and even though Oliveira dominated the fight, Chandler’s pretty intense moments disappointed Dana White as well as ‘Do Bronx’. White complained about the same in the post-fight presser and even said that the referee should have ended the match!

Dana White shows his disdain for the UFC 309 co-main event

Oliveira was able to dominate Chandler through the four rounds both in the ring and on the ground, but ‘Iron’ redeemed his prowess in round 5. Despite Chandler’s attacks, including fence grabs and back-of-the-head strikes, which are not proper in a fight, Oliveira reigned. Chandler and referee Keith Peterson were reprimanded by ‘Do Bronx’ for a series of illegal strikes that almost ended the contest in the fifth round.

Even Dana White was asked the same at the post-fight presser and he expressed his disdain. The head honcho said, “Yeah you know, the refereeing has been weird the judging has been weird lately and I don’t disagree with you. I saw a dight tonight that should have been stopped earlier and it just.” All three judges gave the Brazilian higher scores (40-36, 40-36, and 40-35) heading into the fifth and final round but the controversial strikes changed the mood. Chandler pinned Oliveira to the floor and as the audience watched, he landed a series of powerful elbows and hammer fists to the back of his head.

Even ‘Do Bronx’ was not happy during the post-fight presser and even though he did not take a blow at Chandler when was down, he criticized his moves. Oliveira said, “You know, I’m not here to criticize but I want to tell you something, there were a lot of blows to the back of the head, a lot of fence grabbing, there was also some eye-pokes and I was telling him [the referee] what was going on.” However, even after the controversy and illegal strikes, Oliveira won the match and even created a record!

Charles Oliveira creates history after UFC 309

After the fight concluded, it was announced that the duo would get a bonus and the Brazilian from favelas broke a record. ‘Do Bronx’ became the fighter with the most bonuses in UFC history with 20 of them. He has made White pay him more than $1 million in bonuses.

Charles Oliveira defeated Chandler with a unanimous decision and he pocketed $50,000b apart from the Fight of the Night bonus. ‘Do Bronx’ is looking to clinch the title again and in the process he is taking all the bonuses and there is no stopping him.

It also looks like Oliveira was happy with his win because he did not criticize Chandler too much for the elbows. He even mentioned his respect for the American and posted the same on X. He wrote, “I’m back. And I apologize for your heart rate up in round 5 (LOL) But Chandler is tough and hits hard. All respect. God bless us.”

With a record of 35-10 now, the Brazilian will likely be the next title challenger after Arman Tsarukyan and Islam Makhachev rematch in early 2025. Do you think he can take the title again?