Max Holloway won’t shy away from Charles Oliveira’s wheelhouse.
The pair are set to collide in the main event of UFC 326, which takes place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on March 7.
Oliveira will challenge Holloway for the BMF title, as he looks to join ‘Blessed’, Justin Gaethje, and Jorge Masvidal on the list of stars who have held the symbolic belt since its 2019 creation.
In order to emerge victorious, many think Holloway must avoid being taken to the ground on fight night. But the BMF himself has rejected that striker vs. grappler description of the UFC 326 headliner.
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Max Holloway welcomes grappling exchanges with Charles Oliveira
Despite Oliveira’s credentials, Holloway will not be doing everything he can to avoid battling the jiu-jitsu specialist on the ground.
The Brazilian is the most prolific submission artist in UFC history, having won a record 17 fights via submission inside the Octagon.
While that statistic and finishes like the choke Oliveira secured against Justin Gaethje might make some opponents intent on keeping fights with ‘Do Bronx’ standing, Holloway insists that is not the case for their rematch.
“I find it funny, people say that this is a striker vs grappler matchup, but this is MMA,” Holloway told Stake.
“Charles is not a straight jiu-jitsu guy, he uses his strikes to set up his grappling. I’ve seen some people say, ‘If it goes to the ground, it’s over for Max,’ and I’m like, what?!
“I am very confident in my takedown defense, but also my ground game,” he continued. “I’ve been training in jiu-jitsu for years, I love it. I have way more jiu-jitsu sessions now than any other aspect, and I actually like them the most.
“I like training in the gi. I saw some things online with people saying why am I doing that, it’s unrealistic…but if you can’t hold me down in a gi, then you’re not going to hold me down when I’m all sweaty in an MMA fight.”
Max Holloway will still be the BMF regardless of the result at UFC 326
The BMF title is a symbolic crown that continues to split opinion regarding its importance, especially in terms of whether it warrants a numbered event headliner.
One thing is for sure: the belt is in the right hands.
From his wars with the likes of Dustin Poirier to his last-second knockout of Gaethje, there is zero doubt that Holloway is the UFC’s current BMF, and maybe the top choice from the promotion’s history.
A BMF should be determined by their mindset, approach, and actions, not a triumph or defeat inside the Octagon. With that in mind, win or lose at UFC 326, Holloway will still leave the Octagon on March 7 as the BMF.
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