Get ready, fight fans, because UFC 326 is shaping up to be an absolute barnburner! The main event promises fireworks as Max Holloway, the current 'BMF' champion, steps into the octagon to defend his title against the former lightweight king, Charles Oliveira, on March 7th in Las Vegas. This announcement, made by UFC CEO Dana White at the UFC 323 press conference, has fight enthusiasts buzzing with anticipation.
Holloway, already a shoo-in for the Hall of Fame, solidified his legacy by adding the coveted 'BMF' belt to his collection. He's undeniably one of the most thrilling fighters of this generation. His journey to the top began with a TKO victory over Jose Aldo in June 2017, earning him the featherweight championship. He then successfully defended the title four times before eventually losing it to Alexander Volkanovski.
Looking back at Holloway's recent history, his losses have only come against the absolute best. He's faced the likes of Dustin Poirier (losing once but avenging the loss later), Alexander Volkanovski (losing three times), and Ilia Topuria, all in championship bouts. His most recent victory saw him defeat Poirier at UFC 318, retaining the 'BMF' title he won with a stunning knockout of Justin Gaethje at UFC 300. And this is the part most people miss... Holloway is the only fighter to have successfully defended the 'BMF' belt.
Here's a quick look at the 'BMF' title history:
| Event | Winner | Loser |
|-----------|-----------------|----------------|
| UFC 244 | Jorge Masvidal | Nate Diaz |
| UFC 291 | Justin Gaethje | Dustin Poirier |
| UFC 300 | Max Holloway | Justin Gaethje |
| UFC 318 | Max Holloway | Dustin Poirier |
Now, let's talk about Charles Oliveira. He's a former lightweight champion, having won the vacant title at UFC 262 after Khabib Nurmagomedov retired. He successfully defended the title against Poirier before a weight miss led to him being stripped of the belt prior to his fight with Gaethje.
But here's where it gets controversial... Oliveira's recent record is a bit of a mixed bag, with a 3-3 record in his last six fights, including losses in lightweight title matches against Islam Makhachev and Topuria. However, despite this, Oliveira remains one of the most exciting fighters in the sport, holding the record for the most finishes in UFC history (21) and the most submission victories (17). He also boasts an impressive 18 fight bonuses, including a record-breaking 14 Performance of the Night bonuses.
What are your thoughts? Do you think Holloway will retain his title, or will Oliveira's explosive style prevail? Let me know in the comments!
