Last weekend’s triple-header leads into a single fight card weekend for our MMASucka staff picks. Nevertheless, action will be sensational with UFC 262 taking place tonight, May 15 from the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. This will be the promotion’s first event in the city of Houston since February 2020 where Jones Jones defended his then-title over Dominick Reyes. The main card will begin at 10:00pm ET (7:00pm PT) live and available for ESPN+ subscribers on pay-per-view.
The Fights
With former lightweight king Khabib Nurmagomedov’s retirement, the vacant 155-pound strap is on the line between top-ranked Charles Oliveira and Michael Chandler.
Oliveira will make the walk to the octagon for the 28th time in surprisingly his first ever fight for the championship. The Brazilian currently rides a dominant eight-fight win streak dating back to mid-2018, his 2020 very successful with victories over Kevin Lee and Tony Ferguson. A finish tonight would give Oliveira not only his first major title, but the record for most finishes ever in the UFC. His opponent, Chandler, makes only his second promotional fight on the biggest stage yet. The former NCAA D1 wrestler has kept it on the feet recently, having knocked out his last three opponents. Chandler now looks to start a new legacy after his lengthy dominance and reign in Bellator from 2010 to 2020.
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More lightweights are set to meet in the co-main event between Tony Ferguson and Beneil Dariush. Former TUF winner and interim champion Ferguson looks for a much-needed win after decisive losses to both Justin Gaethje and the aforementioned Charles Oliveira. Kings MMA’s Dariush aims to add another win to his current six-fight streak, lastly taking a “Fight of the Night” decision over Carlos Diego Ferreira in February.
See our remaining UFC 262 fights further below.
Staff Picks
Throughout the calendar year, staff picks will be composed of main card fights from UFC and Bellator events and a variety of fights from PFL MMA. Dana White’s Contender Series will make its debut in the summer months.
The WINNER of staff picks in 2021 will have a choice between receiving a custom-made championship belt from ProAmBelts or chain from Championship Chains. For the third straight year, Michael DeSantis captured the 2020 victory compiling a record of 201-88.
Check out our UFC 262: Chandler vs. Oliveira staff picks below.
Staff Records after UFC Vegas 26:
1. Wesley Riddle: 68-41
2. Nate Freeman: 66-43
3. Michael DeSantis: 64-45
4T. Ash Camyab: 63-41
4T. Frazer Krohn: 63-46
6. Joshua Yule: 62-47
7T. Jeremy Brand: 59-51
7T. Mitchell Banuelos: 59-50
9T. Mike Lynch: 55-49
9T. Kenny Lee: 55-44
11. Tim Wheaton: 47-33
12. Andrew Benjamin: 45-50
13. Matt Bricker: 42-43
*Note – not all staff pick for every event*
Matt Schnell (15-5) vs. Rogerio Bontorin (16-3, 1 NC)
Jeremy Brand: Schnell via UD
Wesley Riddle: Schnell via Round 2 TKO
Michael DeSantis: Schnell via UD
Mitchell Banuelos: Schnell via UD
Matt Bricker: Schnell via UD
Ash Camyab: Schnell via UD
Andrew Benjamin: Schnell via UD
Frazer Krohn: Bontorin via UD
Mike Lynch: Schnell via Round 1 TKO
Nate Freeman: Schnell via UD
Joshua Yule: Schnell via UD
Kenny Lee: Schnell via UD
Staff picking Schnell: 11
Staff picking Bontorin: 1
Shane Burgos (13-2) vs. Edson Barboza (21-9)
Jeremy Brand: Burgos via Round 2 TKO
Wesley Riddle: Burgos via Round 3 TKO
Michael DeSantis: Burgos via UD
Mitchell Banuelos: Burgos via UD
Matt Bricker: Burgos via Round 1 TKO
Ash Camyab: Barboza via UD
Andrew Benjamin: Burgos via Round 1 TKO
Frazer Krohn: Burgos via UD
Mike Lynch: Burgos via Round 2 TKO
Nate Freeman: Burgos via SD
Joshua Yule: Burgos via Round 3 TKO
Kenny Lee: Burgos via UD
Staff picking Burgos: 11
Staff picking Barboza: 1
Katlyn Chookagian (14-4) vs. Viviane Araujo (10-2)
Jeremy Brand: Chookagian via UD
Wesley Riddle: Chookagian via SD
Michael DeSantis: Chookagian via UD
Mitchell Banuelos: Chookagian via UD
Matt Bricker: Araujo via UD
Ash Camyab: Chookagian via UD
Andrew Benjamin: Chookagian via UD
Frazer Krohn: Chookagian via SD
Mike Lynch: Chookagian via UD
Nate Freeman: Chookagian via SD
Joshua Yule: Chookagian via UD
Kenny Lee: Araujo via UD
Staff picking Chookagian: 10
Staff picking Araujo: 2
Tony Ferguson (26-4) vs. Beneil Dariush (20-4-1)
Jeremy Brand: Dariush via Round 3 SUB
Wesley Riddle: Dariush via UD
Michael DeSantis: Ferguson via Round 3 TKO
Mitchell Banuelos: Ferguson via Round 2 TKO
Matt Bricker: Dariush via UD
Ash Camyab: Dariush via UD
Andrew Benjamin: Ferguson via Round 2 SUB
Frazer Krohn: Dariush via UD
Mike Lynch: Ferguson via Round 1 TKO
Nate Freeman: Dariush via UD
Joshua Yule: Dariush via UD
Kenny Lee: Ferguson via UD
Staff picking Ferguson: 5
Staff picking Dariush: 7
Charles Oliveira (29-8, 1 NC) vs. Michael Chandler (22-5)
Jeremy Brand: Oliveira via Round 4 SUB
Wesley Riddle: Chandler via Round 1 TKO
Michael DeSantis: Chandler via Round 1 TKO
Mitchell Banuelos: Chandler via Round 2 TKO
Matt Bricker: Chandler via Round 2 TKO
Ash Camyab: Oliveira via Round 1 SUB
Andrew Benjamin: Chandler via Round 1 TKO
Frazer Krohn: Chandler via Round 4 TKO
Mike Lynch: Chandler via UD
Nate Freeman: Chandler via Round 1 TKO
Joshua Yule: Chandler via Round 1 TKO
Kenny Lee: Chandler via Round 3 TKO
Staff picking Oliveira: 2
Staff picking Chandler: 10
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