As one of Mixed Martial Arts' most popular fighters, Max Holloway will put his BMF title on the line when he faces submission specialist Charles Oliveira at UFC326 on Sunday morning.
Main card set to commence at 4am (CAT, GMT+2)
The "Baddest Mother F–-er" title was created in the lead up to UFC244 in 2019, to acknowledge other popular fighters apart from the promotion's usual weight division champions. Initially launched as a once-off accolade, the BMF belt has since become a staple in the UFC which was previously held by Jorge Masvidal and Justin Gaethje, now Holloway.
Holloway claimed the belt on 13 April 2024 at UFC300, where he recorded one of MMA’s most iconic knockouts by flooring Gaethje in the final second of the last round.
The Hawaiian-born fighter will head into his next bout on the back of a unanimous decision win over Dustin Poirier at UFC318, while Oliveira scored a submission win over Mateusz Gamrot in his last fight at UFC Fight Night: Oliveira v Gamrot in October 2025.
Holloway (27-8-0), fondly known as ‘Blessed’, is known for his high output striking ability, with ‘Do Bronx’ regarded as one of the greatest submission artists in MMA history.
Speaking ahead of the fight, Holloway believes there should be a BMF title in every weight division and considers the belt an exciting incentive for young fighters.
“I love it (the BMF title). We’re headlining events with the BMF belt. It’s nice,” Holloway said.
“Put a BMF belt in every single division. I just think it’s so fun, and you get to finally make fun fights, bro!
“There’s so many fun fights that I can think, like, man, that guy is maybe in the mid of it coming up, of the division, maybe put the BMF belt and just put some guys that’s just gonna throw hands.”
As for Oliveira (36-11-0), the Brazilian expressed that he had dreams of winning the BMF title and also, the UFC Lightweight crown.
“I think I can still make 145lbs if it’s for the title,” Oliveira said.
“I don’t know if it was just a dream or I had something from my imagination. I win the (BMF) belt now, I fight for the (lightweight) title at the end of the year, then I give up both titles and drop to 145lbs to fight for that belt.
“But I don’t know if I was dreaming or just going crazy. I don’t know. We’ll see,”
Also featured on the card is the popular Raul Rosas Jr, who will take on Rob Font in the Bantamweight division as he hopes to move up the rankings once more.
Elsewhere, the experienced Michael Johnson and the equally qualified Drew Dober will contest in the Lightweight division.
UFC326 Main Card:
Max Holloway v Charles Oliveira (Lightweight – Main event)
Caio Borralho v Reinier de Ridder (Middleweight – Co-main event)
Rob Font v Raul Rosas Jr (Bantamweight)
Drew Dober v Micheal Johnson (Lightweight)
Gregory Rodrigues v Brunno Ferreira (Middleweight)
