Holloway Blasts Paramount for 'Ridiculous' Face-Off Frequency

UFC champ Max Holloway unhappy with new pre-fight promotion requirements ahead of title bout with Charles Oliveira.

Mar. 5, 2026 at 3:05pm

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UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway has criticized the promotion's new Paramount deal, which requires fighters to participate in multiple face-offs before their title fights. Holloway, who is set to defend his 'BMF' belt against Charles Oliveira at UFC 326, said he doesn't understand why he has to face off with his opponent 'three or four times' prior to the actual event.

Why it matters

The new Paramount broadcast deal has brought changes to the UFC's pre-fight promotion process, with fighters now required to participate in multiple face-offs leading up to events. This has drawn criticism from some athletes like Holloway, who feel the increased face-off frequency is unnecessary and 'ridiculous'.

The details

Holloway and Oliveira are scheduled to headline UFC 326 on March 7, 2026 in a rematch of their 2015 fight. As part of the new Paramount partnership, the fighters will have to face off at the UFC 326 press conference and weigh-ins, on top of the traditional face-off at the event itself. Holloway, the reigning 'BMF' champion, expressed his displeasure with having to participate in so many pre-fight staredowns, saying 'I don't know why I wanna be facing off with this guy three or four times before the actual fight'.

  • The UFC 326 event is scheduled for March 7, 2026 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
  • Holloway and Oliveira previously fought at UFC Saskatoon in 2015, with Holloway emerging victorious.

The players

Max Holloway

The reigning UFC featherweight champion, known as 'Blessed', who is set to defend his 'BMF' title against Charles Oliveira at UFC 326.

Charles Oliveira

A top UFC lightweight contender, nicknamed 'Do Bronxs', who is challenging Holloway for the 'BMF' title in their rematch at UFC 326.

Paramount

The media company that recently signed a broadcast deal with the UFC, which has led to changes in the promotion's pre-fight procedures including increased fighter face-offs.

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What they’re saying

“We gotta do all that face off, that Paramount face off with each other now which is absolutely ridiculous. I don't know why I wanna be facing off with this guy three or four times before the actual fight.”

— Max Holloway, UFC Featherweight Champion

What’s next

Holloway and Oliveira will next face off at the UFC 326 press conference and weigh-ins before their title fight on March 7, 2026.

The takeaway

The UFC's new broadcast partnership with Paramount has led to changes in pre-fight promotion, including increased face-off requirements for fighters. While this may help drive interest, some athletes like champion Max Holloway feel the added face-offs are unnecessary and disruptive to their preparation.