The fight between Michael Chandler and Charles Oliveira was one of the most exciting matchups in recent UFC history. Both fighters brought their A-game, showcasing their incredible skills and heart inside the octagon. However, while Chandler’s aggressive and explosive fighting style is undoubtedly thrilling, his repeated use of illegal tactics during the fight against Oliveira cannot be ignored. In fact, Chandler’s actions crossed the line multiple times, turning what could have been a classic encounter into one tainted by controversy.

Here’s a breakdown of every time Michael Chandler cheated during his fight against Charles Oliveira.

1. The First Eye Poke

The first instance of Chandler’s dirty tactics came early in the fight. As Charles Oliveira was moving forward, Chandler extended his fingers and accidentally poked Oliveira in the right eye. While eye pokes are often unintentional, this one set the tone for what would follow. Oliveira was visibly affected, but the fight continued.

2. The Second Eye Poke

The real problem came later. After landing a solid punch to Oliveira’s face, Chandler extended both of his hands into Oliveira’s face again—this time poking him in the other eye. Oliveira’s reaction was telling, as the left eye now suffered from the poke. This wasn’t an accidental incident; Chandler’s hands were clearly extended, and the second poke was far too blatant to be ignored. At this point, it was clear that Chandler was using his fingers as a weapon, intentionally compromising Oliveira’s vision.

3. The Fence Grabs

Michael Chandler’s tendency to grab the fence during scrambles and takedown attempts was another violation that went largely unchecked. The first instance happened when Chandler was pressed against the cage by Oliveira. As Oliveira attempted a takedown, Chandler instinctively grabbed the top of the cage, using it to stay on his feet and avoid going to the ground. This was an illegal maneuver, and yet, no penalty was issued.

Chandler didn’t stop there. Later in the fight, when Oliveira was trying to secure another takedown, Chandler was again seen grabbing the cage to prevent the takedown from happening. These illegal fence grabs not only hindered Oliveira’s ability to control Chandler but also gave Chandler an unfair advantage in the clinch.

4. The Glove Grabs

If fence grabs weren’t enough, Chandler also resorted to grabbing Oliveira’s gloves—another illegal tactic. At one point during the fight, Chandler’s fingers were seen hooking into the inside of Oliveira’s gloves, specifically around the palm area. This is a classic cheating tactic meant to restrict the opponent’s movement and control. Oliveira noticed this and voiced his concern to the referee, but once again, no action was taken.

5. The Back of the Head Shots

Perhaps the most dangerous and reckless act of the fight came when Michael Chandler repeatedly struck Charles Oliveira at the back of the head. Illegal blows to the back of the head can cause serious neurological damage, and yet Chandler seemed to ignore the rule entirely, landing multiple shots to the back of Oliveira’s skull. These blows were not accidental; Chandler was clearly aiming for the back of the head while delivering ground and pound from top position.

Chandler’s hammer fists and forearms were often seen landing with downward force to the back of Oliveira’s head. Even though not all of Chandler’s strikes were to the back of the head, several of them were, and they came dangerously close to causing permanent injury. The referee, Keith Peterson, failed to intervene or even issue a warning, which was a major oversight in terms of fighter safety. In fact, there were at least seven strikes to the back of Oliveira’s head during the fight, and no point was deducted for these illegal hits.

6. The Referee’s Inaction

One of the most frustrating aspects of this fight was the referee’s inaction in addressing Chandler’s repeated violations. Keith Peterson, who has been a referee in the UFC for years, stood right above the action but failed to penalize Chandler for any of the illegal tactics. Whether it was the eye pokes, fence grabs, glove pulls, or the dangerous back-of-the-head shots, Peterson did nothing to stop Chandler from cheating.

This lack of oversight allowed Chandler to continue fighting without consequence, giving him a clear advantage in the fight. It’s frustrating for fighters like Oliveira, who are working hard to compete fairly, only to have their opponent bend the rules without facing any punishment.

Conclusion

While Michael Chandler’s fighting style is undeniably exciting, his actions during the fight against Charles Oliveira were a clear example of how dirty tactics can mar an otherwise incredible contest. From eye pokes to fence grabs to illegal strikes to the back of the head, Chandler crossed the line on multiple occasions. It’s disheartening that these actions went largely unchecked by the referee and the officials, as it undermines the integrity of the sport.

Despite these challenges, Charles Oliveira showed incredible resilience. He outclassed Chandler for most of the fight, securing a victory with an impressive performance that highlighted his skills and heart. Oliveira dominated on the ground and in striking exchanges, eventually winning four out of five rounds in a five-round decision. His performance was a testament to his growth as a fighter and his ability to overcome adversity.

As we look forward to future UFC events, it’s crucial that referees take a stronger stance against cheating inside the octagon. The safety of fighters must come first, and actions like Chandler’s should be penalized more severely to ensure fair competition and protect athletes. For now, Charles Oliveira has earned his spot as one of the top contenders, and it’s clear he deserves another title shot. But it’s also clear that the UFC must address these issues to prevent more instances of cheating from tainting the sport.