Former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira asked to fight “BMF” titleholder and former featherweight champion Max Holloway. He was granted his request by UFC matchmakers.
Oliveira and Holloway headline the UFC 326 fight card on March 7 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and for “do Bronx,” the BMF fight is about legacy.
“(It’s) something huge. Legacy. When you talk about being a BMF champion, that’s for your legacy,” Oliveira told TNT Fight Sports. “I’m very excited. I knew this fight was going to happen as soon as I asked for it. I’m very happy to fight against Max.”
The booking is a rematch. The two first fought in August 2015 in the featherweight division. Holloway defeated Oliveira via TKO early in the opening round, but it was due to a neck injury. It’s been over a decade since the two first faced off inside the octagon, and Oliveira expects to get his hand raised this time around.
“It’s going to be a great fight. Listen, anything can happen. It’s MMA. I’m going to be hunting all the time. Maybe I’ll knock him out. Maybe I’ll finish him. I’m going to for sure have my arm raised,” said Oliveira.
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Oliveira enters UFC 326 coming off a submission win over Mateusz Gamrot in October. He believes a win over Holloway will earn him a title fight.
“I figured that I needed a couple of fights to get back into the title picture. I get that great win in Rio. I come out with a win and now I have a great fight coming up. Beating Max, I think I should be next in line,” said the Brazilian legend.
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