Oliveira smothers Holloway to win BMF title at UFC 326

Charles Oliveira delivered a masterclass in his long-awaited rematch with Max Holloway.

Oliveira, a former UFC lightweight champion, defeated Holloway via unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45) to capture the BMF title in the UFC 326 main event Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Oliveira used his Brazilian jiu-jitsu to suffocate Holloway on the ground in all five rounds, completing 5-of-13 takedowns and amassing over 20 minutes of control time.

"Max is the toughest guy I've ever fought against," Oliveira said through an interpreter in his postfight interview. "It couldn't be any other way. I had to come here and dominate."

Oliveira officially attempted four submissions and landed damaging blows on the canvas throughout the fight, topping Holloway 50-26 in significant strikes and 110-73 in total strikes. Holloway showed immense heart by fending off Oliveira's submission attempts and making it to the end of the fight, but he was unable to overcome the gap in skill in the grappling department.

"They came with a better game plan," Holloway said. "You gotta give it up for Oliveira. A hell of a fighter, a true BMF. Wouldn't have it any other way."

With the victory, Oliveira is riding his first winning streak since he held the 155-pound title in 2022. The 36-year-old Brazilian was coming off a submission win over Mateusz Gamrot at UFC Rio de Janeiro last October in which he rebounded from a knockout loss to current champion Ilia Topuria.

Holloway, also a former featherweight champion, was defending the BMF title for the second time. The 34-year-old Hawaiian beat Dustin Poirier by unanimous decision in his first defense at UFC 318 last July. This was his first loss since a third-round knockout to Topuria in a 145-pound title bout at UFC 308 in October 2024.

"I'm gonna come back, whoop somebody's ass, and be right in title contention again," Holloway said when asked what's next for him. "I ain't done yet. I ain't done yet. I'm gonna see Mr. Oliveira again, bro, that's for sure."