At UFC 326 on Saturday night, Charles Oliveira achieved a major victory by defeating Max Holloway to claim the UFC BMF belt. The Brazilian fighter, once an underdog, dominated the bout against the Hawaiian and secured a decisive decision win, marking a significant turning point in his career and signaling his comeback within the competitive UFC pound-for-pound rankings.
Tom Aspinall Holds Strong as Top UFC Heavyweight
Tom Aspinall, the leading heavyweight in the UFC, has firmly established himself as the division’s best following Jon Jones’s departure from the sport earlier this year. The English fighter boasts several victories over elite opponents during the past three years, solidifying his status among fans as the undisputed heavyweight champion. After avenging the sole defeat in his UFC record in mid-2024, Aspinall’s initial title defense was cut short at UFC 321 due to an accidental eye poke from Ciryl Gane, leading to an early end to the fight. A swift rematch is anticipated in early 2026 as fans await his next move.
Charles Oliveira’s Rise Back Into Title Conversations
With a record of 36 wins and 11 losses, Charles Oliveira has set multiple UFC records and is recognized as one of the most accomplished Brazilian MMA fighters ever. Despite his impressive career, recent years have been challenging as age and splits in decision outcomes affected Do Bronx’s momentum. Without immediate lightweight title opportunities, Oliveira shifted focus to the BMF title earlier this year. At UFC 326, he delivered one of his most commanding performances, overwhelming former featherweight champion Max Holloway and securing a second championship within the organization.
Khamzat Chimaev’s Unstoppable Momentum at Middleweight
Khamzat Chimaev has carved a path of dominance since joining the UFC, rarely facing significant challenges in his matches. At UFC 319, he reached the pinnacle of the middleweight division by defeating Dricus Du Plessis. Though his style may not always be elegant, Chimaev’s consistent overwhelming performances have made him one of the most feared fighters on the roster, reinforcing his reputation as Borz.
Alexandre Pantoja’s Journey to the Flyweight Throne
Brazilian fighter Alexandre Pantoja’s path to becoming UFC flyweight champion was marked by years of tenacity and perseverance. His breakthrough occurred at UFC 290 where he secured a key win over Brandon Moreno, solidifying his championship status. Since then, Pantoja has defended his title successfully against tough challengers like Brandon Royval and Moreno once again. Unfortunately, his reign faced a sudden setback at UFC 323 when an unexpected elbow injury forced an early fight stoppage.
Merab Dvalishvili’s Relentless Pursuit of Bantamweight Dominance
Merab Dvalishvili, well-known as The Machine, has built a reputation as the top bantamweight in the UFC through relentless wrestling and stamina. His 2024 victory over Sean O’Malley quelled many critics, followed by an even more convincing win in their rematch at UFC 316. Dvalishvili maintained the championship with dominant performances, including a successful title defense at UFC 320 against renowned fighter Cory Sandhagen, demonstrating near-unbeatable durability and skill in his division.
Petr Yan’s Resurgence to Top Bantamweight Contender
After enduring three consecutive defeats, Petr Yan‘s position among bantamweight elites was questioned. However, Yan rebounded impressively, capturing victories over Yadon Song, Deiveson Figueiredo, and Marcus McGhee. These wins reinvigorated his status, culminating in a title bout at UFC 323 against Merab Dvalishvili, whom he defeated decisively. This victory marked Yan’s return as a two-time bantamweight champion and reaffirmed his elite standing in the sport.
Alexander Volkanovski Regains Featherweight Prime
Alexander Volkanovski has established himself as arguably the greatest featherweight in UFC history. Yet, his efforts to secure a second title in another weight class, coupled with the rise of Ilia Topuria, led to a difficult period with three successive losses. In response, Volkanovski has mounted a strong comeback with consecutive wins over Diego Lopes, the latest occurring at UFC 325 in front of his home crowd. Though he fell short of finishing his opponent, his performances clearly demonstrated an edge over the Brazilian challenger.
Alex Pereira’s Legendary Climb in Multiple Divisions
Alex Pereira’s UFC tenure has been remarkable, capturing championship gold in both the middleweight and light heavyweight divisions within nine fights. The 38-year-old Brazilian has become a fan favorite through his aggressive fighting style reminiscent of cage-fighting legend Fedor Emelianenko. After a frustrating decision loss earlier in the year, Pereira returned in force at UFC 320, overwhelming Magomed Ankalaev quickly to reclaim a leading position in his weight class.
Ilia Topuria’s Historic Lightweight Accomplishment
Ilia Topuria, regarded as one of the top featherweights ever, chose to challenge himself further by moving up to lightweight with hopes of achieving unique UFC history. In June, he accomplished this goal by becoming the tenth fighter to claim championships in two divisions, decisively defeating former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira and adding the Brazilian star to his growing list of conquered legends.
Islam Makhachev’s Dual-Division Dominance
Islam Makhachev has secured his reputation as one of the most formidable lightweights in UFC history by besting luminaries such as Dustin Poirier, Alexander Volkanovski twice, and Charles Oliveira. His grappling skills, combined with surprisingly sharp striking, make him an exceptionally well-rounded fighter. At UFC 322, Makhachev further cemented his legacy by moving up in weight to defeat Jack Della Maddalena and claim the welterweight championship, becoming the latest UFC athlete to hold titles in two divisions.
