I rewatched Max Holloway’s last fight and one clear weapon will neutralise Charles Oliveira

Since the last time the two first met inside the Octagon back in 2015, they have both come on leaps and bounds as fighters, having both achieved huge success in the sport.

And ahead of their long-awaited rematch in Las Vegas, I believe ‘Blessed’ Holloway has developed the tools to neutralise the threat of ‘Do Bronx’ Oliveira.

With Topuria continuing to tease a move up to 170lbs, could Holloway once again become an undisputed champion?🤔

Max Holloway’s oblique kick will neutralise Charles Oliveira’s attacks

Throughout his career in the premier promotion, Holloway has developed as one of the best fighters of his generation, and a lot of that is because of his high fight IQ.

Predominantly known for his slick boxing, which gave him the title as the best boxer in the UFC for some years, Holloway’s kicks have become a big part of his game.

When the 34-year-old knows he has a big boxing advantage over his opponent, he won’t sway from that and will lean on his dominance.

However, when he is in a more even matchup when it comes to boxing acumen, he will mix up his attacks and often lead his attacks with his kicks.

Against Ilia Topuria, who has more power in his hands and is more comfortable in boxing exchanges, ‘Blessed’ attempted to slow him down by keeping him at bay with his kicks.

The majority of his kicking attacks came from the orthodox stance and instead of using lead leg attacks, he would often attempt switch kicks or attacks from his right leg, which was often a front kick to the body.

Of course, this was calculated. He held a big height advantage over Topuria, but somehow, they both have the same reach, and so instead of relying on his boxing, Holloway attempted to out kick-box him.

But in his last fight against Dustin Poirier, he once again mixed his kicking attacks up, and this time, he utilised a lead leg oblique kick perfectly to his advantage.

‘The Diamond’ possesses a real boxing heavy style, and because of that, he is always pretty heavy on his front leg.

Not only did the oblique kick prevent Poirier from pushing forward at all times, but it also opened up the opportunity for Holloway to use it as a fake to open up his boxing and other kicking attacks.

And as Oliveira is someone who likes to pressure his opponent, the front oblique kick could once again pay dividends for Holloway.

Although ‘Do Bronx’ comes from a Muay Thai background, he doesn’t have the patented Muay Thai stance of bouncing on the front foot.

The use of that oblique kick to the front leg lead to a lot of hesitance from Poirier, which allowed Holloway to just control the pace of the fight and wherever he wanted the fight to go.

I see him doing something very similar against the popular ‘Do Bronx’, and it will all come from that crushing oblique kick.