Charles Oliveira dominates Max Halloway. The UFC returned to the bright lights of the T-Mobile Arena on Saturday night, 7th of March for UFC 326, as two of the sport’s most respected veterans ran it back in a highly anticipated main event.
Former UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway and former UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira met for the second time, more than a decade after their first fight in 2015.
Max Holloway reminded the MMA world of his elite status with one of the most memorable moments in UFC history at UFC 300 in April 2024, when he knocked out Justin Gaethje in the final second to capture the symbolic BMF title. However, Holloway suffered a setback in October 2024 when he was stopped by Ilia Topuria in a featherweight title fight. It marked the first knockout loss of his career. Despite that defeat, Holloway rebounded impressively. In July 2025, Holloway defended his BMF belt against Dustin Poirier at UFC 318, earning a unanimous decision victory in what was billed as Poirier’s retirement fight.
Heading into UFC 326, Holloway has won four of his last five fights, proving he remains one of the sport’s most consistent high-level performers.
Charles Oliveira remains one of the most feared finishers in UFC history. After losing his title to Islam Makhachev in 2022, Oliveira stayed in the title mix with big fights against elite competition. In June 2025 at UFC 317, he challenged Ilia Topuria for the vacant lightweight belt but suffered a first-round knockout.
However, Oliveira bounced back in October 2025 with an important win over Mateusz Gamrot, earning a hard-fought victory that reminded everyone of his high-level grappling and finishing instincts. That performance showed that despite the ups and downs, he is still a serious threat in the lightweight division.
Oliveira’s recent run has had highs and lows, but one thing that hasn’t changed about him is that his aggressive style and submission game can end a fight at any moment. Heading into UFC 326, he isn’t just fighting for a win, he’s fighting to reestablish himself as a top contender at 155 pounds.
The fight opened with Holloway moving lightly on his feet, pumping his jab while circling the Octagon. Oliveira quickly showed his intentions, closing the distance and clinching against the fence before dragging the fight to the mat. Once on the ground, Oliveira immediately went to work with his grappling, threatening with submission attempts and maintaining top control. Holloway managed to defend the submission threats and survived the round, but Oliveira’s ability to secure the takedown and control the position gave him the early advantage.
Second round started and Holloway attempted to pick up the pace in the second round, throwing combinations and trying to establish his trademark striking rhythm. Oliveira again shut down the offense by closing the distance and taking the fight back to the ground.
From top position, Oliveira controlled Holloway with heavy pressure and continued to look for openings for submissions. Holloway showed his toughness by escaping several dangerous situations, but Oliveira’s grappling dominance was becoming a clear theme of the fight.
The third round followed a similar pattern where Holloway had moments on the feet, landing punches during brief exchanges, but Oliveira quickly neutralised those moments by initiating grappling exchanges.
Another successful takedown allowed Oliveira to dictate where the fight took place. He maintained control for much of the round while Holloway worked defensively to avoid submission attempts.
With time running out, Holloway pushed forward more aggressively, hoping to create openings with his striking. Oliveira, however, remained disciplined and once again used takedowns to halt Holloway’s momentum.
On the ground, Oliveira continued to pressure from top position, forcing Holloway to focus on defense rather than launching his usual high-volume offense.
Entering the final round, Holloway needed a finish to retain the belt. He pressed forward and attempted to increase the pace, but Oliveira stayed composed and relied on the same strategy that had worked all night.
Another takedown allowed the Brazilian to control the action and run out the clock. When the final horn sounded, it was clear Oliveira had executed a near-perfect game plan. After five rounds, the judges scored the fight 50-45 across the board for Charles Oliveira, crowning him the new BMF champion.
The victory marked another major achievement in Oliveira’s career and served as redemption for his loss to Holloway more than a decade earlier. Oliveira immediately praises Holloway in the aftermath of the fight. “For real, I respect you so much. We’re different from other people. … These dudes come here and talk a lot of crap, we come here, we do a lot of beautiful things for our family, we fight, and we do great things for our kids.” “If this division has got two BMFs, those two BMFs are Charles Oliveira and Max Holloway.”
After the fight, Oliveira’s family joined him in the octagon. “Hunter, if there’s another fight on the White House or anything for the title, you know where to find me.” “They came with a better game plan, got to give it up for Oliveira guys. Hell of a fighter, a true BMF, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.” Any idea what’s next? “Yeah, I’m going to come back, whoop somebody’s ass and be right in title contention again. I ain’t done yet. I’m going to see Mr. Oliveira again, that’s for sure.”
