{"id":174,"date":"2026-07-06T03:23:46","date_gmt":"2026-07-06T03:23:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/mma\/?p=174"},"modified":"2026-07-06T03:23:46","modified_gmt":"2026-07-06T03:23:46","slug":"max-holloway-charles-oliveira","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/mma\/2026\/07\/06\/max-holloway-charles-oliveira\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cYou Can\u2019t Be Mad at Charles\u201d \u2013 Max Holloway Explains Why He Won\u2019t Criticize Charles Oliveira\u2019s UFC 326 Game Plan\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"

The BMF title main event at <\/span>UFC 326<\/span><\/a> had all the ingredients of an instant classic, as Charles Oliveira and Max Holloway renewed their rivalry in a rematch a decade in the making. Instead, the five-round contest drew criticism from fans who expected a high-paced striking battle but were left disappointed by the lack of prolonged stand-up exchanges and highlight-reel moments typically associated with the symbolic belt.<\/span><\/p>\n

Staying true to his strengths, Oliveira implemented a dominant grappling-heavy game plan, securing five takedowns and controlling nearly 21 minutes of the fight on the mat. His elite Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and constant submission threat neutralized Holloway’s trademark volume striking in a way few opponents have managed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

While it was a tactical masterclass from the Brazilian, many felt the performance did not embody the free-flowing, stand-and-trade spirit that has come to define the BMF championship. The performance drew criticism from several prominent names, including Nate Diaz, Conor McGregor, and Khamzat Chimaev, who argued that the fight strayed from the identity fans have come to expect from the BMF title.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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A post shared by Violent Rounds (@violentrounds)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n