Former UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira has revealed that he entered the fight against American Michael Chandler with a knee injury.
I didn’t want to talk about it because if we lose it’s taken as an excuse. But I had a knee injury. I tore or burst two ligaments. I was supposed to be out of action for four to six weeks. But I didn’t want to pull out of this fight at all because I knew that if I won I could fight for the title again. I had to do physiotherapy every day, try to train with the pain, but I spent practically 15 to 20 days without training properly.
Charles Oliveira for Fight Pass Brazil
Oliveira and Chandler faced off on November 17 in the co-main event of UFC 309 in New York (USA). The fight went the full five rounds and ended in Oliveira's favor by unanimous decision.
Chandler's mixed martial arts record stands at 23 wins and 9 losses. Oliveira boasts 35 wins and 10 losses, with one of his fights declared a no contest.