Charles Oliveira believes he understands the key elements that will help him claim the BMF championship.
Following two consecutive events to start the year, the UFC’s third major show under the Paramount banner is set for March 7th in Las Vegas. After three UFC Fight Nights in February, UFC 326 will take place at T-Mobile Arena, featuring a headline rematch between Oliveira and Max Holloway.
“De Bronx” is set to challenge Holloway for the prestigious BMF title, which the Hawaiian fighter captured from Justin Gaethje in 2024 and defended against Dustin Poirier last July. Oliveira, who lost to Holloway 11 years ago, is eager for redemption.
Charles Oliveira describes himself as a “hunter” in the fight game, a trait he believes sets him apart from Holloway. Their first encounter ended abruptly after just 99 seconds due to an esophageal injury Oliveira sustained during UFC Saskatoon’s main event. Since then, Oliveira has surged upward in his career, gaining both success and fame, and now aims to correct that early setback.
In a recent interview with CasinoBeats, Oliveira shared why he feels confident heading into UFC 326. “Max and I are both big names who bring real intensity to every fight,” he said. “But I’m a hunter — I seek fights both standing and on the ground, and that’s what makes me different. It comes down to who wants it more, who’s hungrier. If it stays standing, I’m ready; if it goes to the ground, I’m ready. No matter what, I’m prepared.”
Looking beyond UFC 326, the recent winner of UFC 325, Benoit Saint-Denis, has already expressed his intentions to challenge the eventual BMF champion this year. After defeating Dan Hooker, the rising French contender revealed, “My primary focus is on the top five fighters, but the Andis debate belt and the BMF title are my main goals. I want to fight the winner of Charles vs. Max or the winner of Justin Gaethje vs. Ilya Topuria.”
If Oliveira manages to secure the BMF title from Holloway, a showdown with the ‘God of War’ could be next, potentially setting the stage for Oliveira’s pursuit of a second lightweight championship.
Fan Take: This matchup reignites a rivalry with deep history and high stakes, making it a must-watch for fight fans craving intense competition. Oliveira’s hunger and evolving skill set could push the sport forward, giving fans a glimpse of a new chapter in lightweight dominance.
