Charles Oliveira put on a completely suffocating performance to drown Max Holloway on the ground to win the “BMF” title in the UFC 326 main event.
Just moments into the opening round, Oliveira snatched a takedown and started looking for submissions, which was effectively a carbon copy for the next 25 minutes. Holloway never got the chance to mount any real offense with Oliveira consistently dragging him back to the canvas and just draining the life out of him.
When it was over, all three judges scored the fight 50-45 as Oliveira got the job done and adds the “BMF” title to his long list of accomplishments. Following the main event, Oliveira’s first concern was speaking directly to Holloway in the octagon.
“I respect you so much,” Oliveira said to him. “We’re different than other people. These dudes come here and talk a lot of crap, we come here and do a lot of beautiful things. If this division has two ‘BMF’s those ‘BMF’s are Charles Oliveira and Max Holloway.”
While the crowd didn’t seem all that happy when it was over, Oliveira beat Holloway in every second of every round of the fight to get the job done. Now he’s hoping he’ll get another chance at becoming UFC lightweight champion again after taking out Holloway on Saturday.
“Max is the toughest guy I ever fought,” Oliveira said. “I had to come here and dominate. This is not important [that I was the underdog]. Hunter [Campbell], if there’s another fight at the White House or anything for the title, you know where to find me.”
A couple of stiff leg kicks opened the fight for Oliveira with Holloway firing back with several stiff jabs in succession. A split second later, Oliveira closed the distance, grabbed a body lock and tossed Holloway to the ground.
Oliveira was methodical in his attack but he was also advancing his position and Holloway’s attempt to get to his feet ended up with the Brazilian on his back. With Oliveira looking for the rear-naked choke, Holloway was stuck playing defense with the lightweights locked on the ground against the cage.
While Oliveira kept trying to find a home for a submission, Holloway was actually smiling as he defended and time ticked away in the opening round.
On the restart, Holloway once again established the jab but Oliveira was quick to counter with another takedown. This time, Oliveira was quick to get in position for a potential arm-triangle choke or potentially a rear-naked choke with Holloway once again trying to fight his way free.
While Oliveira was still trying to set up his submissions, he was also raining down with some nasty elbows and Holloway was desperately trying to find any room to work. Oliveira kept up with the same attack after taking Holloway down again, moving to the mount and trying to throw down elbows to damage the Hawaiian from the top.
The crowd was getting a little restless as Oliveira’s suffocating performance continued with Holloway just stuck underneath him.
In the fourth round, Holloway popped Oliviera with a couple of stiff jabs, which led to the former lightweight champion closing the distance and snatching yet another takedown. Oliveira was like a brick wall on top and he gave Holloway no real room to move much less get in a position where he could escape.
With five minutes remaining, Oliveria scored his most significant strike on the feet as he cracked Holloway with a hard shot that definitely got his attention. Another grappling exchange led to Holloway actually landing on top but Oliveira was quick to grab a leg to work for a reversal.
When Holloway tried to return to his feet and perhaps go for a late finish, Oliveira actually never let him go and a second later, he was back on top again. Oliveira’s dominance was unreal as he just refused to allow Holloway to do much of anything before the final horn sounded.
“They came with a better game plan,” Holloway said about Oliveira. “You’ve got to give it up for Oliveira. Hell of a fighter, a true ‘BMF’ and wouldn’t have it any other way.
“I’m going to come back and whoop somebody’s ass and be right in title contention again. I ain’t done yet. I’m going to see Mr. Oliveira again.”
With the win, Oliveira obviously puts himself back near the top of the lightweight division and he’ll certainly keep a close eye on the upcoming title fight between Ilia Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje at the UFC White House card. Oliveira could also potentially request a rematch against Arman Tsarukayan after they battled to a razor-close split decision at UFC 300 and perhaps running it back would secure the winner a guaranteed title shot.
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