UFC 326 recap - Charles Oliveira dominates Max Holloway in long-awaited rematch in Las Vegas, takes control of BMF belt
Updated 08/03/2026 at 08:24 GMT
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The event at T-Mobile Arena in the UFC's home of Las Vegas, Nevada saw two fan favourites meet in a clash for the symbolic BMF title, 11 years on from their first meeting. It proved to be a one-way contest as Charles Oliveira's superior grappling skills saw him take Max Holloway down to the mat in each round - and keep him there.
'This is big game hunting' - Holloway looks ahead to Oliveira clash
Video credit: TNT Sports
Dominant display sees Oliveira take BMF crown
It wasn't won in the manner the BMF belt traditionally has been contested, but Charles Oliveira enjoyed complete domination over Max Holloway to claim the symbolic title in Las Vegas.
In every round, Oliveira took his opponent to the mat early and kept him there, with only fine defence from Holloway enabling him to stay in the contest.
In all, Oliveira had ground control for almost 20 minutes of the five-round contest.
Victory for Oliveira avenges the loss to Holloway, which came after the Brazilian suffered a neck injury, way back in a UFC Fight Night in Saskatchewan, Canada, 11 years ago.
The co-main event saw another convincing victor as Caio Borralho was too good for Reinier de Ridder.
Though the Dutchman landed more strikes over the three rounds, all the telling shots came from the Brazilian, particularly from his unorthodox right hand.
The highlights of the night in the Octagon came from two stunning one-punch knockouts. 'Robocop' Gregory Rodrigues knocked Brunno Ferreira out in the first round.
Drew Dober also won in similarly convincing fashion, knocking out Michael Johnson.
Holloway not done yet
"He came out with the better game plan and won the fight," Holloway said.
"I'm going to come back and whoop somebody."
Oliveira: 'I had to dominate'
"Max is the toughest guy I've ever fought. I had to come in there and dominate, I couldn't do it any other way.
"If there's room for another fight at the White House or a title fight you know where to find me."
Oliveira wins by unanimous decision!
An easy call for the judges as each one gives the Brazilian the fight 50-45.
Holloway-Oliveira: Round 5
A big kick from Oliveira before Holloway takes Oliveira down but it is not a place the American wants to be. The reversal seems a matter of time. After the pair get up to their feet, Oliveira takes his opponent back to the mat, this time with him in control. Holloway remains on his back until the final 20 seconds and the fight ends with them throwing down with Oliveira landing a big right hand which shook the American. The Brazilian leaps out of the Octagon to embrace his family afterwards.
Holloway-Oliveira: Round 4
Oliveira is caught by a couple of shots by Holloaway early in the round but the Brazilian was just waiting for a time to pounce and once more with just over a minute gone he rushes against the Octagon and then brings the BMF champion to the mat. This time Oliveira lands more shots on Holloway on the mat, while punishing the Americans leg and heel. Joe Rogan slams "these casuals booing", rightly so.
Holloway-Oliveira: Round 3
Holloway resists being taken to the mat for the first minute, but after a knee lift, Oliveira throws him down afterwards. Some in the crowd boo but it you can't blame the Brazilian for going back to this. Holloway resists giving his back away, but it is another painful round lying on the mat for almost four minutes.
Holloway-Oliveira: Round 2
Oliveira again takes down Holloway within the first twenty seconds of the round and then attempts a choke hold on the floor. Holloway does an incredible job of staying in there, intermittently loosening his opponent's grip, before - after eating elbows and right hands - being put into a choke hold again. Nine minutes of ground control from Oliveira has to have taken something out of Holloway.
Holloway-Oliveira: Round 1
Holloway tries to box but Oliveira leaps on him landing hooks and then lifting and slamming him to the floor. Holloway attempts to get up, giving Oliveira his back and it looks like a submission is coming, but Holloway manages to survive. Oliveira attempts a neck-breaker but Holloway stays there and winks at the tv cameras through the Octagon. He gets up, surprisingly fresh on the buzzer.
The main event is next
Eleven years on, Max Holloway and Charles Oliveira meet again, this time with the BMF belt on the line.
Borralho wins on points
He takes the bout 30-27 on all three cards.
Borralho-de Ridder: Round 3
It is the same story once more with Borralho avoiding being taken to the mat and landing the telling blows. Surely a one-sided points decision for the Brazilian.
Borralho-de Ridder: Round 2
A competitive round but Borralho has the best of things dominating the stand-up battle with the Dutch fighter unable to find a way of avoiding his right hands.
Borralho-de Ridder: Round 1
A low blow from de Ridder sees Borralho take just over a minute to recover. Thereafter he gets the better of things for the next couple of minutes landing a number of sharp strikes. De Ridder gets a takedown with a minute remaining and, after Borralho gets up to his feet, holds the Brazilian against the Octagon.
Co-Main Event up next
Middlewight contenders Caio Borralho and Reinier de Ridder will go at it.
Rojas Jr wins on points!
The Mexican takes a unanimous decision 30-27 on all three scorecards.
Font-Rojas Jr: Round 3
The crowd don't like it but Rojas Jr dominated once more on the mat. Ten takedowns in total and though he didn't come close to a submission it is a dominant win.
Font-Rojas Jr: Round 2
Rojas Jr dominating the bout with his grappling, maintaining control for the majority of the round. Not really what the crowd want to see but it is effective.
Font-Rojas Jr: Round 1
Font does a good job early of squeezing Rojas Jr for space and landing shots in close but midway through the round the Mexican executes a single leg takedown and for the rest of the opener is control almost rag-dolling Font around.
Font-Rojas Jr up next
The rising Mexican star came to the ring in a sombrero.
UFC White House show announced
What a card with Alex Pereira-Cyril Gane meeting for the interim heavyweight title as the co-main event.
Dober knocks out Johnson in Round 2
Another one-punch KO! He was being outboxed but needed just one shot, with a straight left putting Johnson down and out. A spurious shot on the floor was added before the referee jumped in.
Dober-Johnson: Round 1
Johnson controlling the fight mainly with his boxing skills from the southpaw stance. Dober landed some impressive kicks but not enough to take the opener.
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Rodrigues KO's Ferreira in One!
Less than two minutes into the fight, he evens the series with a one-punch knockout, a straight right hand from Robocop turned the lights out and left him able to walk off to soak in the crowd's appreciation.
The Main Card is next...
BMF title:
Max Holloway (27-8) v Charles Oliveira (36-11, 1 NC)
Middleweight contest:
Caio Borralho (17-2, 1 NC) v Reinier de Ridder (21-3)
Bantamweight contest:
Rob Font (22-9) v Raul Rosas Jr (11-1)
Lightweight contest:
Drew Dober (28-15, 1 NC) v Michael Johnson (25-19)
Middleweight contest:
Gregory Rodrigues (18-6) v Brunno Ferreira (15-2)
Garbrandt wins on points
The two deducted points mean Garbrandt won 28-27 on all three cards.
Garbrandt-Xiao: Round 3
Xiao twice kicked Garbrandt low and the second time he spent a good deal of time on the mat recovering. A point was deducted and after the two-and-a-half minute wait, Garbrandt charged at his opponent and narrowly missed a knee lift. Then in close, Xiao kneed his opponent in the groin and was fortunate not to be disqualified. He was deducted a second point. Xiao landed a couple more big kicks and the fight ended with the Chinese fighter on top and he landed a shot after the buzzer which Garbrandt took exception to. The American wanted no part of conciliation after the fight.
Garbrandt-Xiao: Round 2
A head clash the most notable moment of the second round. Xiao probably edged that round too.
Garbrandt-Xiao: Round 1
Xiao landed a brutal head kick early on which it took Garbrandt a minute or so to shake off. The American got back into the fight in the second half of the round, landing with an elbow in close. Garbrandt got a takedown and ended the round well but landed far less overall.
Former champ in action next
Cody Garbrandt takes on Long Xiao in the final prelim bout.
Johnson wins on points
For the first time the young star is taken the distance and his team will know he has a lot to work on if he is to continue to rise up the rankings. Johnson got the decision 29-28 on two of the cards, with Brundage winning by the same score on the third.
Brundage-Johnson: Round 3
Brunage landing a lot of clean jabs and leg kicks, though Johnson as always forcing he pace and connected with a good right hand. Brundage tried for a take down but Johnson retained control with a front-face lock. Johnson will win but Brundage will think with a bit more notice he;d have won the contest.
Brundage-Johnson: Round 2
All Johnson in the second round. Not that there was great action. Johnson took him down after landing a shot and then, but for a minute where it looked like Brundage attempted a kimora, had the advantage as the veteran just looked to see the round out.
Brundage-Johnson: Round 1
Johnson tried to knock his opponent out with a left hook straight away and then was taken down to the mat, staying on his back there for over three minutes. Back to their feet, Johnson stalked his opponent and his power advantage was clear, though he was caught by shots from his opponent who clearly took the round.
Brundage-Johnson next...
Middleweight veteran Cody Brundage (11-8-1) came in at short notice to fight highly-touted Donte Johnson (7-0).
Emotional message from Montes
Montes wins by submission!
The Venezuelan puts Turcios in an anaconda vice, then rolls his opponent onto his back and choked him out. A really impressive performance. He seems to have it all.
Turcios-Montes: Round 1
As the round went on Montes increasingly took control. He landed a brutal elbow in close, straight right which rocked Turcios' mane around, as well as vicious kicks to the body.
Lightweights up next...
American Ricky Turcios (13-5) takes on Venezuela's Alberto Montes (11-1).
Mongolian wins prelim
A bad-tempered contest, even in context of UFC, saw Nyamjargal Tumendemberel defeat Cody Durden win a unanimous points decision of Cody Durden.
The Mongolian fighter was warned for illegal punches during the fight and aiming a kick at his sitting opponent after the final buzzer.
Why this is the 'biggest and best fight' of 2026
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Why Holloway v Oliveira is 'biggest and best fight this year'
Video credit: TNT Sports
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