Max Holloway is preparing to defend his BMF title in the highly anticipated main event of UFC 326 in Las Vegas, where he will face Charles Oliveira in a rematch. Heading into this fight, many expect Holloway to rely on his striking skills to avoid Oliveira’s dangerous jiu-jitsu. However, Holloway has expressed openness to taking the fight to the ground and aims for a submission win over the Brazilian grappler.
Holloway Hints at Using Submission Tactics in Rematch
At UFC 326 media day, Holloway confidently spoke about his submission abilities, despite not having demonstrated them much inside the octagon. He said,
“I didn’t get to show too much of my submission skills in the octagon anyway. That would be pretty BMF. That would be pretty BMF to go submit the submission artist. Charles can say whatever he wants. He can say whatever. I can say whatever I want. Come Saturday night, we get to find out. That’s the beautiful thing about it.”
– Max Holloway, UFC 326 media day
Oliveira has only been submitted four times in his career, most recently by Islam Makhachev in 2022. Though Holloway is not traditionally considered a grappling specialist, he believes he has the capability to catch Oliveira in a submission if the opportunity arises.
Holloway Recognizes Oliveira’s Versatility and BMF Credibility
Max Holloway also praised Charles Oliveira’s evolution as a fighter, pointing out that Oliveira is more than just a submission expert. He highlighted Oliveira’s striking skills, which often precede his submission victories. Holloway remarked,
“Now he’s an MMA guy, and a lot of his submission wins have been coming from striking first. He’s hurting these guys on the feet, and then he’s submitting them. That’s a pretty BMF thing to do. So nothing but love for him.”
– Max Holloway
He emphasized that fans should expect an intense fight, as both fighters are known for putting on exciting performances. Holloway said, I think he’s a BMF, and stated that this matchup defies the simple striker-versus-grappler storyline.
Previous Victory and Anticipation for UFC 326
Coming into UFC 326, Holloway is riding momentum after a decision win over Dustin Poirier, which helped him retain the BMF belt. The bout against Oliveira promises to be a high-stakes contest with both fighters determined to prove their dominance. Fans and analysts alike are eager to see if Holloway can pull off the unexpected submission victory or if Oliveira will showcase his grappling superiority once more.
Potential Impact of This Rematch in the UFC Landscape
This rematch at UFC 326 carries significant importance as it tests Holloway’s growth and adaptation in facing a dangerous opponent like Oliveira. A submission win would mark a remarkable milestone for Holloway, highlighting his evolution beyond striking and elevating the prestige of the BMF title. The outcome could influence future matchups and strategies among top UFC competitors, signaling a shift in how fighters blend striking and grappling at the highest level.
