UFC 326 results: Charles Oliveira overwhelms Max Holloway to claim BMF title

LAS VEGAS — Charles Oliveira has a shiny silver present for his mother’s birthday. On Friday, Oliveira celebrated his mom’s birthday by promising to deliver her the BMF championship. It was a bold proclamation from the underdog, but the favela’s favorite son pulled through against Max Holloway at UFC 326.

Saturday’s main event didn’t follow the typical BMF formula. Oliveira, already possessing razor-sharp submissions and strikes, showed off the latest evolution in a career full of reinventions. Oliveira overpowered Holloway with takedowns — something no one had done with such consistency throughout a legendary career. Holloway was helpless to stop them, nor get back to his feet. Holloway’s only real success was his submission defense, which held up in perilous positions against the UFC’s submission record-holder. Oliveira’s wrestle-heavy performance drew a mix of cheers and boos against his fellow fan-favorite. 

The fight may not have lived up to the BMF title’s reputation, but it suggests that Oliveira’s best days are ahead of him. Heading into UFC 326, Oliveira repeatedly voiced how the 2015 version of himself — the one who lost to Holloway — was the “Oliveira of jiu-jitsu,” not the “Oliveira of MMA.” After their first fight, Oliveira developed a potent striking game to complement his submission attacks. Now he’s added robust wrestling, making him an offensive threat everywhere. 

Oliveira improved to 37-11 (1 NC) and has won consecutive fights since losing a vacant lightweight title fight to Ilia Topuria. Holloway lost for the first time since moving up to lightweight full-time after BMF title wins over Justin Gaethje and Dustin Poirier. 

The live feedback to Oliveira’s strategy was mixed, but the people who matter most to him left satisfied. For the first time in his career, Oliveira brought his entire family to one of his fights. The “Do Bronx” family flies home to Brazil with the BMF title promised to them.

CBS Sports was with you the entire way on Saturday with updates, analysis and round by round scoring throughout the event. Thanks for stopping by.

UFC 326 fight card, results

• Charles Oliveira def. Max Holloway (c) via unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45)
• Caio Borralho def. Reinier de Ridder via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Raul Rosas Jr. def. Rob Font via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Drew Dober def. Michael Johnson via second-round TKO (punch)
• Gregory Rodrigues def. Brunno Ferreira via first-round knockout (punch)
• Complete UFC 326 fight card with all preliminary bouts