Charles Oliveira squeezed the joy, the air and the BMF title out of Max Holloway at UFC 326.
In one of the most dominant ground displays you will ever see between elite opponents, the former UFC lightweight champion defeated the former featherweight champion by unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45) to take the UFC’s honorary title.
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Oliveira entered the fight as the underdog, then landed takedowns at will. If Holloway had a game plan, he didn’t get past page 1.
It was an impressive performance, but also probably not what the UFC had in mind for a BMF title fight. It certainly wasn’t Holloway inviting Justin Gaethje into the phone booth and exiting with his opponent unconscious. Should that be held against Oliveira? Perhaps, but being shocked the Brazilian went for grappling after the career he’s had probably deserves the surprised Pikachu face at best.
If Holloway was among those bothered, he didn’t show it:
“They came with a better game plan. You’ve got to give it up for Oliveira, guys. Hell of a fighter, true BMF, wouldn’t have it any other way.”
The fight started with Holloway spending nearly the entire first round in an unenviable position, with one of the best submission artists in the history of mixed martial arts on his back. Oliveira certainly tried to end the fight then and there, but Holloway’s hands allowed him to survive. It was one of those rounds where the points represented a disappointing outcome, with a finish just out of reach.
Regardless, Oliveira was dominant, and quickly returned to that position in the second round. Holloway might be one of the UFC’s greatest boxers, but he didn’t seem ready for Oliveira’s suffocating embrace.
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The third round left no doubt Holloway would need a finish to retain his belt. It also left some doubt in the UFC’s Paramount+ era, as several streaming viewers reported losing two minutes of action to a black screen.
The crowd, which had signed up for blood, really started booing in the championship rounds. Oliveira didn’t change course.
The fifth round ended up being Holloway’s best, but not because he finally got to land some strikes. He just managed to spend some time on top before Oliveira took control again. It’s not even like Oliveira grappled because he shouldn’t strike, as he was also landing the better shots in the rare moments the two were on their feet.
Once the inevitable decision was announced, Oliveira used the occasion to call for a last-minute addition to the UFC’s White House card, which was announced earlier Saturday.
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The co-main event saw Caio Borralho beat Reinier de Ridder via unanimous decision, then call for an elite opponent at middleweight with former champ Dricus Du Plessis.
Main card results
BMF championship – lightweight: Charles Oliveira def. Max Holloway via unanimous decision (50-45 All)
Middleweight: Caio Borralho def. Reinier de Ridder via unanimous decision (30-27 All)
Bantamweight: Raul Rosas Jr. def. Rob Font via unanimous decision (30-27 All)
Lightweight: Drew Dober def. Michael Johnson via KO (punch) at 1:53 of R2 | Watch finish
Middleweight: Gregory Rodrigues def. Brunno Ferreira via knockout (punch) at 1:47 of R1 | Watch finish
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Preliminary card results
Bantamweight: Cody Garbrandt def. Xiao Long via unanimous decision (28-27 All)
Middleweight: Donte Johnson def. Cody Brundage via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Featherweight: Alberto Montes def. Ricky Turcios via submission (anaconda choke) at 0:40 of R2 | Watch finish
Flyweight: Nyamjargal Tumendemberel def. Cody Durdern via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Early prelims results
Flyweight: Su Mudaerji def. Jesus Aguilar via unanimous decision (30-27 All)
Light heavyweight: Diyar Nurgozhay def. Rafael Tobias via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Light heavyweight: Rodolfo Bellato def. Luke Fernandez via TKO (punches) at 2:42 of R1 | Watch finish
Live coverage is over91 updatesSat, March 7, 2026 at 9:26 PM PST
Uncrowned Staff
Sat, March 7, 2026 at 9:23 PM PST
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Sat, March 7, 2026 at 9:18 PM PST
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Sat, March 7, 2026 at 9:18 PM PST
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Sat, March 7, 2026 at 9:16 PM PST
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Sat, March 7, 2026 at 9:15 PM PST
Drake Riggs
The warriors hug to start the round. Oliveira teeps away before rattling off a massive combo. Holloway thwarts a takedown with an elbow, then counters to get on top of Oliveira! He’s in half guard now. Holloway starts to land some little punches as Oliveira seeks his reversal. Oliveira’s head is pretty safe in the position, doing his best to escape, and does once they move. Oliveira gets up to hit a single and retake the top position in guard. Minimal offense lands from either in this stalemate position. Referee Marc Goddard implores them to work more. Oliveira transitions to half guard. He hammers some punches late. Holloway bursts to his feet with 20 seconds left. He remains trapped, and they get to slugging with five seconds left. Masterful performance from Oliveira.
10-9 Oliveira. (50-42 Oliveira.)
Sat, March 7, 2026 at 9:10 PM PST
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Sat, March 7, 2026 at 9:09 PM PST
Drake Riggs
A groin shot immediately lands from Oliveira. No pause. He lands a chopping low to Holloway before pouring on the pressure. Holloway boxes away from Oliveira before “do Bronx” shoots for another takedown. Holloway defends, fighting the underhooks against the cage. Oliveira methodically pulls him to the mat once more, back in side control. Holloway remains hopeless, eating big elbows from mount. He’s scrambling to escape, giving up his back. Oliveira starts landing heels to the thigh from his back position. No real big offense is coming here from Oliveira, but he’s still looking for the chokes.
10-8 Oliveira. (40-33 Oliveira.)
Sat, March 7, 2026 at 9:08 PM PST
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Sat, March 7, 2026 at 9:03 PM PST
Drake Riggs
Well, that’s lovely. Paramount crashed across the board and blacked out in the first half of the round. But the feed returned to Oliveira, once again back on top, dominating from half guard. He lands a slicing elbow. Holloway simply has no answers once on the ground. That’s about it. More dominance from the former lightweight king, who, mid-blackout, landed a nice knee to the dome of Holloway.
10-9 Oliveira. (30-25 Oliveira.)
Sat, March 7, 2026 at 8:58 PM PST
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Sat, March 7, 2026 at 8:56 PM PST
Drake Riggs
Oliveira lands a nice teep. Holloway starts rattling off good jabs. The teeps remain from Oliveira, but he times a kick from Holloway to secure another takedown, this time up against the cage. They work from guard. Oliveira adjusts position and locks on somewhat of an arm-triangle rear-naked choke variation. It doesn’t seem too tight, as Oliveira sneaks back to the back of Holloway. The face crank gets reapplied by Oliveira. Stabbing elbows slice Holloway. They reposition while Oliveira holds the body triangle. Holloway is entirely conscious of the chokes, opening him to those nasty elbows. Oliveira locks on another neck crank! This one is tight! He escapes! Unreal. Oliveira holds from the back position, still sneaking in potential chokes. Holloway remains stuck in the position as time expires.
10-8 Oliveira. (20-16 Oliveira.)
Sat, March 7, 2026 at 8:52 PM PST
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Sat, March 7, 2026 at 8:50 PM PST
Drake Riggs
Oliveira delivers a heavy pair of leg kicks out of the gate. Holloway launches a nice, quick combo. His strikes are on point early, but Oliveira blitzes! He catches Holloway with a big pair of rights and gets a sneaky body lock takedown, right into side control. Oliveira uses a knee on the belly to advance and land elbows, returning to side control after a float over attempt. Holloway rolls out to give up his back. He stands and Oliveira maintains a solid backpack position. He tightens a face crank! Holloway is in trouble! Holloway defends well, but Oliveira continues to squeeze. Oliveira punches methodically from a dominant position, trying to open up Holloway. Oliveira punches and elbows, seeking the submission. Holloway’s neck is becoming more exposed, but his defensive hand-fighting stays strong. Oliveira turns it into a neck crank! Holloway escapes. Holloway smiles and raises his brows to the camera. Incredible. What a round.
10-8 Oliveira.
Sat, March 7, 2026 at 8:49 PM PST
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Sat, March 7, 2026 at 8:48 PM PST
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Sat, March 7, 2026 at 8:46 PM PST
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Sat, March 7, 2026 at 8:45 PM PST
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Sat, March 7, 2026 at 8:34 PM PST
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Sat, March 7, 2026 at 8:32 PM PST
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