UFC 326: Max Holloway loses BMF championship in one-sided affair

by Michael Lasquero | Mar 7, 2026

Mar 7, 2026; Las Vegas, Nevada, UNITED STATES; Max Holloway (red gloves) fights Charles Oliveira (blue gloves) during UFC 326 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

It was a night to forget for Hawai’i’s own Max Holloway.

But regardless of the result, one thing is for certain — Holloway “ain’t done yet.”

Brazil’s Charles Oliveira defeated the Hawai‘i-native by unanimous decision to capture the BMF title in the main event of UFC 326 Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

All three judges scored the bout 50-45.

Despite the lopsided loss, Holloway vowed to be back even stronger.

“Imma come back, whoop somebody’s ass and be in title contention again,” Holloway told Joe Rogan in the Octagon after the fight.

“I ain’t done yet. Imma see Mr. Oliveira again, that’s for sure.”

Mar 7, 2026; Las Vegas, Nevada, UNITED STATES; Max Holloway (red gloves) greets Charles Oliveira (blue gloves) after their fight during UFC 326 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

Oliveira (37-11) relied heavily on his grappling to control the fight against Holloway (27-9), taking him down in all five rounds and threatened to submit him numerous times. The former lightweight champion compiled 20 minutes, 49 seconds of control time while limiting Holloway’s usually dangerous striking attack.

The bout marked a rematch nearly 11 years in the making.

Holloway previously defeated Oliveira via first-round TKO at 1:39 during their featherweight matchup at UFC Fight Night 74 on Aug. 13, 2015, after Oliveira suffered an apparent injury near the neck and shoulder area that forced the stoppage.

Saturday’s contest unfolded much differently.

Oliveira, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist, immediately implemented a grappling-heavy strategy against the strike-focused Holloway.

Mar 7, 2026; Las Vegas, Nevada, UNITED STATES; Max Holloway (red gloves) fights Charles Oliveira (blue gloves) during UFC 326 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

Within the first minute of the opening round, Oliveira executed an outside trip to put Holloway on his back, setting the tone for the rest of the fight.

“They came with a better game plan,” Holloway said. “You have to give it up to Oliveira. Hell of a fighter, a true BMF. Wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Oliveira — who is the UFC’s career record holder for submissions — appeared close to making Holloway tap out with multiple rear-naked chokes and face-crank attempts, but Holloway remained poised and even smiled to cameras in the closing minute of round one to deny an early decision.

Momentum stayed with Oliveira throughout the bout. He landed a knee early in the third round and delivered several elbows from the mounted position in the fourth.

Mar 7, 2026; Las Vegas, Nevada, UNITED STATES; Max Holloway (red gloves) fights Charles Oliveira (blue gloves) during UFC 326 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

It took until the fifth and final round for Holloway to manage a take down on Olivera, but that was short-lived as the Hawai’i-native ended up on his back once again.

In the closing seconds, Holloway got back to his feet and motioned for Oliveira to meet him in the center of the Octagon by pointing at the canvas — his signature invitation to exchange strikes. Oliveira obliged briefly and landed a right hand just before the final horn.

The loss was Holloway’s first since his knockout defeat to Ilia Topuria in a featherweight title fight in October 2024.

Meanwhile, Oliveira improved to 2-0 since his own first-round knockout loss to Topuria in a vacant title fight last June.

Mar 7, 2026; Las Vegas, Nevada, UNITED STATES; Max Holloway (red gloves) enters the octagon before the fight against Charles Oliveira (blue gloves) during UFC 326 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images