Max Holloway is set to defend his “BMF” title against Charles Oliveira at UFC 326 and aims for a potential rematch with lightweight champion Ilia Topuria, while Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett compete for an interim lightweight title.
Max Holloway’s got some big plans for 2026.
Later this year, he’s set to defend his “BMF” title in a rematch against Charles Oliveira at UFC 326. Their first clash was back in 2015 at UFC Saskatoon, where Holloway emerged victorious after Oliveira suffered a throat injury. Over the years, both fighters have claimed UFC gold—Holloway at featherweight and Oliveira at lightweight. Now, they’re gearing up for another showdown, and Holloway’s pumped.
“Amazing fighter. Great fighter,” Holloway told TNT Fight Sports. “Just sucks that he has to run into me again.”
Fans are buzzing about this matchup. Holloway and Oliveira are both fighters’ favorites, and the anticipation is palpable. “It’s going to be a fun fight,” Holloway said. “Whenever you get a Charles Oliveira, whenever you get myself fighting, you know it’s going to be a fight, so I’m excited.”
But there’s more on the line for Holloway than just the Oliveira bout. After moving up to 155 pounds, he’s eyeing a potential rematch with Ilia Topuria, the current lightweight champ. Topuria was the first to knock him out, and Holloway wants another crack at him.
“In a perfect world, we go out there, get my hand raised, do it very fashionably,” Holloway mused. He’s dreaming big—another shot at Topuria, with the ‘BMF’ title and the undisputed on the line. “At the end of the day, it is what it is. If we can do that, get it done, it would be a huge fight.”
However, there’s competition brewing. Topuria is currently on a break, dealing with personal matters. Meanwhile, Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett are set to battle for an interim lightweight title at UFC 324.
The MMA landscape is shifting, and Holloway’s right in the mix.