UFC 326 Holloway vs. Oliveira 2 Preview: Will 'Blessed' retain his BMF title? March 5, 2026 by Marc Jerbs

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UFC 326 is headlined by a blockbuster lightweight rematch between Max "Blessed" Holloway and Charles "do Bronxs" Oliveira, with the coveted Baddest Motherf*cker (BMF) title on the line. The event takes place on Saturday, March 7 at the iconic T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, with the main card set to begin at 9:00 PM EST.

Their first meeting in 2015 ended abruptly when Holloway earned a TKO victory after Oliveira suffered a neck and shoulder injury during a takedown attempt just 99 seconds into the fight.

This time, there are no unanswered questions - only legacy-defining stakes. Both fighters have evolved into elite forces in their respective divisions, making this sequel far more compelling than their brief first encounter.

Rivalry Revisited

Since their initial clash, Holloway has cemented his legacy as one of the greatest featherweights in UFC history. He captured the symbolic BMF title at UFC 300 with a stunning fifth-round knockout and holds wins over several former champions, including Dustin Poirier, Justin Gaethje, and Jose Aldo (twice).

Oliveira, on the other hand, has crafted one of the most dangerous finishing résumés the sport has ever seen. The former lightweight champion owns the UFC records for most submission wins (17) and most finishes (21). He most recently showcased his elite grappling by submitting Mateusz Gamrot in October 2025, further solidifying his position among the division's elite.

Holloway vs. Oliveira Sports Bet Odds

Holloway is the favorite to win the match. Here are our latest odds:

Holloway, as the favorite to win, has a money line of -230 while Oliveira, as the underdog, has +195.
Oliveira winning by points has a money line of +700.
Holloway winning via KO/TKO or DQ has a money line of +135.

Paths to Victory

Holloway's Blueprint: Expect Holloway to lean on volume, cardio, and distance management. His elite takedown defense will be crucial in keeping the fight upright. If he controls the tempo and forces Oliveira into extended striking exchanges, a late TKO or decision win could be within reach.

Oliveira's Blueprint: For Oliveira, early aggression is key. Closing the distance, initiating clinches, and dragging the fight to the mat would play directly into his submission-heavy arsenal. With 10 career knockout victories as well, he remains a dual threat capable of ending the fight anywhere.

Final Thought

UFC 326 isn't just a rematch - it's a collision of two all-time greats at the peak of their powers. With unfinished business from 2015 and championship stakes attached, Holloway vs. Oliveira 2 promises to deliver the kind of high-level drama that defines eras. Whether it ends in a striking war or a grappling masterclass, fans should prepare for a fight worthy of the BMF spotlight.

Holloway vs. Oliveira of the Tape

Max "Blessed" Holloway ^#C		Charles "do Bronxs" Oliveira ^#3
27-8-0	Record	36-11-0, 1NC
Win	Last Fight	Win
5' 11"	Height	5' 10"
155.0 LBS	Weight	156.0 LBS
69.0"	Reach	74.0"
42.0"	Leg Reach	41.0"
48%	Significant Strikes	54%
59%	Strikes Defense	49%
53%	Takedown Accuracy	40%
83%	Takedown Defense	54%