Charles Oliveira was crowned as one of the baddest fighters on the UFC roster, beating “BMF” champion Max Holloway via unanimous decision in the main event of UFC 326.
While he was dominant, the fight had some re-thinking the entire concept of the “BMF” title.
Do Bronx got right to work in the first round. He put Holloway in a bad position with a successful takedown attempt in the first minute.
The exchange prompted a cat-and-mouse game the rest of the round with Oliveira working for a rear-naked choke. Holloway was able to defend it, but at the cost of a lopsided opening frame.
Holloway showed the kind of cool that made him the “BMF” champion to begin with:
Unfortunately for Holloway, his calm defense was tested again in the second round. Oliveira once again bullied him to the mat and forced him to defend submission attempts.
Holloway might have been the favorite heading into the fight, but Oliveira made that assessment of the bout look silly. He dominated Holloway on the ground in a way no one else has to this point of his career.
No one could take away Oliveira’s dominance, but the grappling show did bring on some questions about whether the fight was BMF worthy.
The fight did come alive in the final round. Oliveira had some success on the feet and Holloway responded in kind. The two went to the mat and Blessed wound up in top position.
The success was short-lived, though. Oliveira eventually swept him and put him back on the floor.
Oliveira has established himself as one of the most fan friendly fighters on the roster over the years. He has racked up more finishes and submissions than any fighter in UFC history.
He also gets a bit of closure on one of the tougher losses of his career. Holloway beat Oliveira by first-round TKO when Do Bronx suffered a neck injury in the first round of their 2015 fight that left him unable to continue.
Now, Oliveira can look to settle more unfinished business. He’d like to parlay this title into a shot at the title that he once held as undisputed lightweight champion.
“A win is a win, and whoever wins here should have that shot,” Oliveira said, per E. Spencer Kyte of UFC.com. “I know it’s going to be me, and I know I’m going to fight for the undisputed belt again.”
Right now, that would mean a fight against Ilia Topuria or Justin Gaethje. The current champion has been on an absolute tear that has put him at the top of pound-for-pound lists. That includes a first-round knockout of Oliveira to become lightweight champion at UFC 317.
Topuria has taken some time off which cleared the way for Justin Gaethje to win the interim title over Paddy Pimblett. The two will meet on the White House card in June.
At 36, Oliveira could be running out of time to make another run at the belt so it would make sense that he wants to get that chance as soon as possible.
A win over an accomplished champion like Holloway has him in the spotlight with gold around his waist. If things break his way, it will lead to another shot at redemption.
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