Max Holloway will defend the 'BMF' title he won against Justin Gaethje at UFC 300 in a rematch with Charles Oliveira at UFC 326. Both fighters dropped one spot in the lightweight rankings following Gaethje's interim title win at UFC 324, with Holloway now at #4 and Oliveira at #3. This BMF title rematch represents a high-profile bout between two fan-favorite lightweights and adds another significant fight to the UFC's 2026 schedule. The bout will determine who holds the prestigious 'Baddest Motherf***er' title moving forward.
Reports indicate that Max Holloway and Charles Oliveira are being lined up for a second meeting, with the BMF title on the line at UFC 326. The bout has not been officially confirmed, but if it comes together it would pit two of lightweight's most compelling names against each other in a rematch with a prestigious title at stake.
Holloway, 34, carries a 27-9 record and currently sits fourth in the lightweight rankings, having claimed the BMF belt with his victory over Justin Gaethje at UFC 300. The Hawaiian fighter, who trains out of Gracie Technics, is among the most active strikers in the sport, landing 7.2 significant strikes per minute while fighting out of an orthodox stance at five-foot-eleven. A slight dip in the rankings following Gaethje's interim title win at UFC 324 has not diminished his profile heading into this reported contest.
Oliveira, known as "Do Bronxs," enters as the third-ranked lightweight and holds a 37-11 record at 36 years old. The Brazilian, who represents Chute Boxe Diego Lima, brings a multi-layered attack to every fight, combining 3.35 significant strikes landed per minute with 2.22 takedowns and a remarkable 2.6 submission attempts per 15 minutes. His 54 percent striking accuracy ranks among the best in the division, and his finishing ability on the ground gives him a threat profile unlike most fighters Holloway has faced.
Why it matters
- The BMF title, first elevated into mainstream conversation by Jorge Masvidal, would change hands or be further legitimized depending on the outcome
- Both men dropped one spot in the lightweight rankings following UFC 324, meaning divisional positioning adds an extra layer to this contest
- Holloway's volume striking versus Oliveira's submission and ground-and-pound arsenal creates a genuine stylistic contrast that played out in their first meeting and remains unresolved
