UFC icon Frankie Edgar has expressed doubts about Charles Oliveira’s current mindset heading into his upcoming fight. Oliveira, the former lightweight champion from Brazil, is set to headline UFC 326 on March 7 in Las Vegas, where he will challenge BMF Champion Max Holloway at T-Mobile Arena. At 36 years old, Oliveira aims to reclaim the lightweight title after losing it under dramatic circumstances in 2022, when he failed to make weight before his victorious bout against Justin Gaethje. That moment marked the end of an incredible career comeback, but unlike before, Edgar questions if Oliveira still has the hunger and determination needed to reach the top again.
Having climbed the ranks himself well before Oliveira’s breakthrough, Edgar shared his thoughts on a potential Oliveira-Holloway rematch during an episode of his podcast, “The Answer,” with MMA Junkie’s Mike Bohn. While Edgar believes Holloway is on an upward trajectory—solidifying lightweight as his ideal division after struggling to make featherweight—he’s less convinced about Oliveira’s drive. Edgar remarked, “I think Holloway is on a tear. He’s kind of recovering a little bit…(Lightweight) is definitely his weight class now. I think dropping down to 145 was too much for him.” Regarding Oliveira, he added, “I don’t know, but sometimes I wonder. He’s had a checkered career leading up to becoming a champion and you wonder if he’s still hungry. That’s the strange thing. I feel like Holloway is still chasing the bones.”
Meanwhile, Justin Gaethje, who became the interim lightweight champion at UFC 324, is preparing for a potential unification bout against Ilya Topuria. However, if Topuria’s comeback is delayed or he cannot compete by UFC President Dana White’s preferred date of June 14, Gaethje has other plans. In an interview with Bloody Elbow, Gaethje mentioned that facing the winner of the Holloway vs. Oliveira fight would be his next logical challenge, expressing his desire to avenge his previous losses—by knockout to Holloway and submission to Oliveira. “If Elijah can’t go, the winner of Max vs. Charles for the White House would make sense,” Gaethje said. “That’s the card I want to win. I’m not chasing anyone else, but if I get a chance on that stage, I’ll be ready. I would absolutely love to get that fight back [against Holloway]. Max is a legend and I have a lot of respect for him. If that fight were to happen, I would take it right away.”
Fan Take: This buildup highlights a critical crossroads for Charles Oliveira and Max Holloway, shaping the next era of the lightweight division. For fight fans, the motivation and hunger Edgar questions could be the deciding factor in an epic matchup, while Gaethje’s eagerness keeps the division buzzing with high-stakes anticipation. This fight isn’t just about belts—it’s about legacies and the future landscape of MMA.
