On the evening of Saturday, March 7, 2026, the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) hosted UFC 326 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. This marked the third numbered event of 2026 and featured a highly anticipated main event—a thrilling matchup between popular fighters Max Holloway and Charles Oliveira. The BMF title was also on the line for those interested. Additionally, the card showcased Middleweight contenders Reinier de Ridder and Caio Borralho seeking to bounce back, along with dynamic fighters like Drew Dober and Gregory Rodrigues who promised an action-packed show, though the preliminaries left much to be desired.
Here’s a recap of the standout performances and techniques from the night:
A serious question was raised: Did anyone anticipate that outcome?
Max Holloway managed to land only a few notable strikes over the entire 25 minutes. From the outset, Oliveira imposed his will, relentlessly pursuing Holloway with low calf kicks and powerful right hands. In the first significant exchange, Oliveira landed a stunning right hand, effortlessly taking Holloway to the mat and even coming close to finishing him with a rear naked choke shortly after.
Holloway battled on with his characteristic spirit but failed to gain any momentum as Oliveira maintained relentless pressure throughout. Each round began with Oliveira unleashing powerful strikes until he could secure a takedown, leaving Holloway significantly hampered while on the ground.
By the latter rounds, Holloway appeared drained. Even before the takedowns, he lacked his usual speed and power, increasingly absorbing damage from Oliveira. This victory underscored one of the finest performances in Charles Oliveira’s illustrious career, arguably his best.
Following his knockout defeat to Ilia Topuria last summer, Oliveira has made a stellar comeback. Speculations about whether Oliveira’s prime had passed were common after that fight, but his recent performances suggest that he and his contemporaries, including Max Holloway and Alexander Volkanovski, may not be finished just yet.
