A lightweight bout for the symbolic BMF title between former champion Charles Oliveira and former featherweight champ and BMF titleholder Max Holloway headlined Saturday’s UFC 326 fight card.
Holloway and Oliveira first fought 11 years ago at UFC Fight Night 74 in a featherweight bout. Holloway defeated the Brazilian early in the opening round after Oliveira suffered a neck injury. Both have had legendary careers since that night and ran it back at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
They touched gloves and Oliveira delivered a hard leg kick to start the fight. Holloway began establishing his jab. He stepped in the picket with an aright hand. Oliverira pressured Holloway. He clinched and took Holloway down and landed in side control.
Oliveira postured up and landed two hard elbows. Holloway stayed calm on the bottom. He worked to stand. Oliveira took Holloway’s back. He worked to apply a rear-naked choke. Holloway fought the hands. Holloway’s only been submitted once in his career. Oliveira delivered short left hands. Holloway continued to defend with one minute remaining on the clock. Holloway smiled with 20 seconds left in the round. MMAWeekly scored the frame 10-9 for Oliveira.
Holloway open ed the second round with a combination. Oliveira responded with a teep kick. Oliveira closed the distance and took Holloway down. Oliveira gave Holloway no space. Holloway got to a knee. Oliveira delivered elbows. Oliveira applied a body triangle and had Holloway’s back. Oliveira delivered hard elbows. Holloway defended as Oliveira looked to lock in a rear-naked choke. Holloway survived another round on the ground with Oliveira. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for the Brazilian.
The third round looked much like the first two. Oliveira got the fight to the ground early and dominated positioning. Through three rounds, it was all Oliveira. MMAWeekly scored the third 10-9 for Oliveira.
Oliveira starts the fourth frame with a le kick.k Holloway connected with a right hand. Oliveira rushed forward and clinched. Oliveira secured a takedown. He worked in side control. Oliveira delivered hard elbows. Holloway rolled. Oliveira stayed on his back and applied a body triangle. MMAWeekly score the round 10-9 for Oliveira.
Oliveira connected with a combination and went for a takedown. Holloway ended up on top. He delivered short left hands as Oliveira looked for a reversal. Holloway stood but Oliveira stayed with him. Oliveira secured another takedown. He worked inside Holloway’s closed guard. He broke the guard and moved to half guard. Holloway worked his way back to his feet. They separated. Oliveira landed a right hand. Holloway fired back, and that’s how it ended. Oliveira put in a dominating performance.
The judges scored the fight for Oliveira via unanimous decision. All three scorecards read 50-45.
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