Charles Oliveira has developed an incredibly thrilling and aggressive track record in the UFC. Following his upcoming fight at UFC Fight Night in Rio de Janeiro against Mateusz Gamrot, Oliveira aims to solidify his status by potentially facing BMF champion Max Holloway, another dynamic fighter known for action-packed bouts. This match is significant as it marks Oliveira’s first fight against a fellow Brazilian in six years and offers him a chance to recover from his recent knockout defeat to Ilia Topuria. Known as “De Bronx,” Oliveira is eager to bounce back swiftly in Brazil, with ambitions of adding another championship belt to his collection.
Oliveira shared with CBS Sports, through a Portuguese interpreter, that winning this upcoming fight would set him up for a title shot—whether at the BMF belt or the lightweight division title. A rematch with Holloway would be ideal, not only offering a high-profile opportunity to advance toward the lightweight title but also helping Oliveira redeem himself from their first encounter a decade ago. At that time, Holloway won despite suffering an esophageal injury early in the fight, which added to Oliveira’s reputation as someone who could be defeated easily. After some tough losses, Oliveira’s career turned around following a victory over Paul Felder, leading to an impressive 11-fight winning streak and him becoming a Rocky-like lightweight champion. Holloway, considered the greatest featherweight champion, has also been vocal about wanting a rematch with Oliveira, dismissing claims that Oliveira was injured during their first fight.
Though Holloway recently announced he’ll be out until 2026 due to a hand injury from his victory over Dustin Poirier, the anticipation for a possible Oliveira-Holloway rematch remains strong. Holloway is the current BMF titleholder, a crown previously held by Jorge Masvidal after his win over Nate Diaz.
Fan Take: This potential rematch between Oliveira and Holloway is a must-watch for fight fans as it promises explosive action and offers a chance for Oliveira to reclaim his glory against a top-tier opponent. It also has the potential to shake up the lightweight division, adding fresh excitement and narrative to the UFC’s championship picture.
