Max Holloway Pursues BMF Title Fight Against Ilia Topuria

Max Holloway is gearing up for a significant showdown against Charles Oliveira at UFC 326 in March. This bout will serve as a BMF title match, marking their first encounter in over 11 years. The last time they faced off was in 2015, where Holloway emerged victorious with a first-round TKO, following an injury to Oliveira.

UFC 326: Holloway vs. Oliveira

This upcoming fight represents a pivotal moment in both fighters’ careers. Over the past decade, Holloway and Oliveira have each claimed championship titles in their respective weight classes. Their second matchup will not only determine supremacy but also feature two of the UFC’s most celebrated figures.

In a statement to TNT Fight Sports, Holloway expressed admiration for Oliveira. He acknowledged Oliveira’s reputation as a “fighter’s favorite” and anticipates an exciting contest. Holloway stated, “Whether it’s Oliveira or me, I have to fight in the end. So I’m really looking forward to it.”

Holloway’s Ambitions Beyond Oliveira

For Holloway, defeating Oliveira is just the first step toward a larger goal—avenging his recent loss to Ilia Topuria. In their last encounter at UFC 308, Holloway suffered his first knockout defeat in the third round against Topuria, who has since defeated Alexander Volkanovski to secure his status as a top contender.

Holloway articulated his desire for a rematch with Topuria. “If it’s a perfect scenario, you should definitely beat Oliveira. It’s about winning so overwhelmingly that no one can deny it,” he said. His ambition is to hold both the BMF and lightweight titles simultaneously, a scenario he hopes to achieve following a decisive victory over Oliveira.

Current Landscape of UFC Lightweight Division

• Max Holloway’s next fight: BMF title match against Charles Oliveira at UFC 326.
• Previous encounter: Holloway won via TKO in 2015.
• Ilia Topuria: Defeated Holloway at UFC 308, claiming his first KO victory.
• Upcoming temporary lightweight title match: Justin Gaethje vs. Paddy Pimblett at UFC 324.
• Topuria’s return: Delayed due to personal issues, impacting timelines for rematch.

As the UFC landscape evolves, Holloway remains focused on his path to challenge Topuria again. However, with Topuria’s current personal circumstances, fans may need to wait for this highly anticipated rematch to materialize.

Following UFC 326, the MMA community will be watching closely to see if Holloway can position himself for another shot at Topuria.