UFC 326 live blog: Max Holloway vs. Charles Oliveira 2

· Yahoo Sports

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 06: (L-R) Opponents Max Holloway and Charles Oliveira of Brazil face off during the UFC 326 ceremonial weigh-in at MGM Grand Garden Arena on March 06, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)

This is the UFC 326 live blog for Max Holloway vs. Charles Oliveira, the “BMF” championship main event bout Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Visit chickenroad-game.rodeo for more information.

Holloway is currently No. 12 in the MMA Fighting Pound-for-Pound Rankings, with Charles Oliveira at No. 19.

This is a long-awaited rematch for the two future Hall of Famers, with Holloway getting the win in a featherweight bout all the way back at UFC Saskatoon in August 2015 when Oliveira suffered an injury to bring the contest to a disappointing end.

Holloway (27-8) went on to establish himself as one of the best featherweights of all time, winning a UFC title and successfully defending it three times. His list of conquests includes Jose Aldo, Dustin Poirier, Justin Gaethje, Frankie Edgar, The Korean Zombie, and Anthony Pettis, and many others considered among the best fighters of this generation. He knocked out Gaethje in the final seconds of a dominant performance at UFC 300 to snatch the BMF belt and became the only fighter to successfully defend it when he defeated longtime rival Dustin Poirier this past July.

“Do Bronx” hasn’t done bad for himself either. The UFC’s all-time leader in submission victories finally made it to the top of the mountain at 155 pounds when he defeated Michael Chandler for a vacant belt at UFC 262. Since that win, Oliveira has gone 5-3 while providing highlight after highlight whether in victory or defeat. Like Holloway, he aims to build on a UFC 326 main event win to earn one more shot at an undisputed title.

Check out the UFC 326 live blog for Max Holloway vs. Charles Oliveira below.

Preamble

Here we go. Forget all the White House drama and the lackluster undercard, this is what we’re here for. Two of the best ever finally getting to see who is the better man. All in.

Always tell me the odds

Holloway has been the favorite since this one was announced, -196 on FanDuel. Oliveira the underdog at +164. But this feels closer to a pick ‘em, doesn’t it?

Walkouts

Round 1

Marc Goddard the third man in the cage for your main event.

Oliviera immediately attacks with leg kicks. There’s a 1-2 from Holloway. Uh oh, he’s landing early. But here comes Oliveira, throwing heavy. Body lock and Oliveira just dumps him to the mat. Fast start!

Holloway defending well, but he has to be careful. Oliveira lands a couple of elbows as soon as he sees an opening. That grappling magic is on full display. Holloway takes a risk and gives up his back, he gets to his feet and Oliveira is hanging on to him. He fights off Oliveira’s hands but that choke looked tight. Oliveira still in a dominant position and he’s scoring with ground-and-pound to make this a clear-cut 10-9 for him. All defense from Holloway, who can’t risk giving up his neck. Oliveira cranking that face, ouch! But Holloway fights out of it. He gives the camera a wry smile. Survived the round.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Oliveira.

Round 2

Holloway starting off fast again. He’s landing, but Oliveira gets another takedown. Crowd boos, but this is how Oliveira can win this one.

“Do Bronx” is just all over Holloway. He wants that knocks. Holloway doesn’t give it to him, so Oliveira cracks him with some more elbows. Body triangle for Oliveira. Holloway fighting, but it feels like he’s just sinking deeper and deeper. Oliveira has been glued to his back and he’s not just looking for chokes, he’s consistently scoring with short strikes. One-way traffic so far for the former lightweight champion.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-8, Oliveira. Overall, 20-17 Oliveira.

Round 3

Holloway might have to be more conservative with his striking here, but Oliveira isn’t giving him that option. He’s walking right into Holloway’s range and firing away. In he goes for the body lock. Holloway is upright, but he has a lot of work to do with Oliveira grinding him against the fence. Oliveira explodes and gets Holloway back down.

Holloway is stuck in a bad way. Oliveira less adventurous with the offense here, but why should he take a risk? He has Holloway right where he wants him and is cruising to another round on the cards. Elbows from Oliveira, he’s just bullying Holloway. Less than a minute left in the round and Team Holloway is going to have to figure something out fast.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Oliveira. Overall, 30-26 Oliveira.

Round 4

Quick low blow, but Holloway shakes it off quick as Oliveira apologizes. Big right hand from Holloway, Oliveira just walking through it and throwing big shots of his own. Boom, there’s the body lock from Oliveira. He’s turning and twisting and adjusting his grip, Holloway doing everything he can to stay on his feet. Oliveira gets heavy and just falls on top of him. Expert grappling at work.

Holloway with no answers as the crowd goes restless. You can’t blame Oliveira, he’s working to win this. He postures up and cracks Holloway with nasty elbows, then takes the back. Obviously, amazing stuff from Oliveira to control one of the best fighters ever, but methinks this is the last “BMF” title fight we have in a while?

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-8, Oliveira. Overall, 40-34 Oliveira.

Round 5

They hug it out to start the round. It would have been hilarious if Oliveira just suplexed him there. The action resumes and Oliveira hits Holloway hard with punches, then it’s Holloway who wins a grappling exchange and ends up on top. Oliveira so dangerous from the bottom though, he’s already working to sweep. Holloway being very, very careful with every move as he’s just staying on top. He won’t win the fight like this.

Oliveira kicks Holloway off, but beautifully pushes Holloway to the fence and immediately shoots for a takedown as he stands. Down goes Holloway again. Masterful work. Oliveira settles back into top control and this one is essentially over even with time left on the clock.

Holloway manages to get back up. Oliveira not letting go of him, though. Just enough time for a point down and Oliveira blasts Holloway with a right hand for good measure.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Oliveira. Overall, 50-43 Oliveira.

Official result: Charles Oliveira def. Max Holloway via unanimous decision (50-45 x3)

Post-fight

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.”

Oliveira’s family joins him in the octagon. What a moment.

“Hunter, if there’s another fight on the White House or anything for the title, you know where to find me.”

Post-fight 2

Now we get to hear from Holloway.

“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.”

Read full story at source