Charles Oliveira Reveals Reason for Grappling Approach in UFC 326 Main Event

The Brazilian fighter explains his strategy to control Max Holloway and win the BMF title.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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Charles Oliveira's victory over Max Holloway at UFC 326 to win the BMF title was impressive from a tactical standpoint, but it drew criticism from some fans and fighters like Conor McGregor who felt Oliveira relied too heavily on grappling instead of an exciting stand-up fight. Oliveira has now revealed that his patient, control-focused strategy was intentional, as he knew he couldn't afford to rush against the dangerous Holloway and had to listen closely to the referee's instructions to avoid making mistakes on the ground.

Why it matters

Oliveira's performance highlighted the divide between fans who want to see high-octane, action-packed fights and those who appreciate the technical mastery of grappling and ground control. The criticism from figures like McGregor also speaks to the challenges fighters face in meeting the expectations of both hardcore fans and casual viewers when competing for a title like the BMF.

The details

Oliveira racked up almost 21 minutes of control time with five successful takedowns, winning every round on the judges' scorecards. He explained that his game plan was to be patient, wait for referee instructions, and methodically work his grappling to nullify Holloway's offense. While the fight may not have met expectations for an exciting BMF title bout, Oliveira's strategy effectively shut down Holloway, who landed just 26 significant strikes over the five rounds.

  • The UFC 326 main event took place on March 4, 2026.

The players

Charles Oliveira

The Brazilian fighter who won the BMF title by defeating Max Holloway at UFC 326.

Max Holloway

The former UFC featherweight champion who lost to Oliveira in the UFC 326 main event.

Conor McGregor

The former UFC champion who criticized Oliveira's grappling-heavy approach against Holloway.

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What they’re saying

“We knew that the best path, the path of least resistance, was actually on the ground and we needed to do that. Listen, be patient. When you're there, move around a little bit, wait a little bit for the ref to tell you to start moving, start doing something, action and then you do it. We needed to have patience. We could not make a mistake and I did not make any.”

— Charles Oliveira, UFC Fighter (UFC)

What’s next

Oliveira has confirmed that an announcement is coming soon about his next opponent, with speculation suggesting it could be Nate Diaz.

The takeaway

Oliveira's victory highlighted the divide between fans who want to see exciting stand-up fights and those who appreciate the technical mastery of grappling and ground control. His patient, control-focused strategy effectively nullified Holloway's offense, but drew criticism from some who felt it didn't live up to the excitement expected of a BMF title bout.