UFC 326: Holloway vs. Oliveira 2 went down on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, marking a historic night for the promotion as it debuted on CBS under the new Paramount Skydance media rights deal. The main event saw BMF champion Max Holloway defend his symbolic title against former UFC Lightweight Champion Charles Oliveira in a highly anticipated rematch, more than a decade after their first meeting. What followed was one of the most dominant grappling performances in recent UFC memory, as Oliveira methodically ragdolled the Hawaiian striker over five rounds to claim the BMF belt via unanimous decision. From explosive knockouts on the undercard to a controversial finish to the evening through a fight cancellation, UFC 326 delivered a memorable evening of mixed martial arts.
The event was the first to partially air on network television CBS under the new Paramount Skydance agreement, with the final hour of the prelims and the first hour of the main card broadcast nationally. The remainder of the main card, including the main event, aired exclusively on Paramount+. A 12-fight card kept fans entertained from early prelims through to the final bell, even if the main event did not unfold quite the way most had envisioned.
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UFC 326: Holloway vs. Oliveira 2 – Main Card Results
BMF Lightweight Championship – Charles Oliveira (Brazil) vs. Max Holloway (USA)
Charles Oliveira def. Max Holloway via Unanimous Decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45)
In the main event of UFC 326, Charles "Do Bronx" Oliveira put on one of the most suffocating grappling performances the UFC has seen in years, defeating BMF champion Max Holloway by a sweeping unanimous decision to claim the symbolic belt. All three judges scored every single round in favor of Oliveira, delivering identical 50-45 scorecards in a verdict that was as decisive as it was unexpected given pre-fight expectations.
Holloway, a legendary striker and one of the most durable fighters in UFC history, had been installed as a significant betting favorite heading into the fight. The Hawaiian came into the contest with the full backing of a raucous T-Mobile Arena crowd hungry for a brawl. What they got instead was a masterclass in grappling control from the Brazilian. Oliveira crashed through range with a body lock takedown in the very first round, establishing the tone that would define every minute of the next 25 minutes.
Oliveira secured takedowns in all five rounds, spending the majority of the fight in top position as he threatened with submission attempts and ground-and-pound while Holloway worked tirelessly to defend and escape. While Holloway showed tremendous defensive grappling in surviving several dangerous submission attempts, he was unable to string together meaningful striking sequences on the feet, as Oliveira consistently cut off the distance and reset the fight to where he wanted it.
The third round made it abundantly clear that Holloway would need a dramatic finish to retain his title, a task that proved impossible against Oliveira's smothering approach. The fifth round was arguably Holloway's strongest, when he managed to briefly work from top position, but Oliveira reclaimed control in the closing stages and the result was never truly in doubt. Notably, Oliveira was also the sharper striker in the rare exchanges that did take place on the feet, landing harder and more accurate shots when the two traded punches.
Some controversy accompanied the fight due to a streaming outage on Paramount+ during the third round, with several viewers reporting a two-minute blackout at a crucial point in the championship rounds. The crowd, which had signed up for the BMF brand of violence, grew increasingly vocal in their displeasure as the grappling-heavy contest wore on. Oliveira, however, was unbothered, executing a clean and calculated game plan from start to finish.
The victory was a statement moment for Oliveira, who had suffered a shocking first-round knockout loss to Ilia Topuria in his most recent previous fight. Now back in the win column with consecutive victories, Do Bronx added the BMF belt to a resume that already includes one of the most storied careers at lightweight in UFC history. The rematch settled the score from their 2015 meeting in Saskatoon, where Oliveira had been stopped by injury in the opening round.
Middleweight – Caio Borralho (Brazil) vs. Reinier de Ridder (Netherlands)
Caio Borralho def. Reinier de Ridder via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
In the co-main event of UFC 326: Holloway vs. Oliveira 2, Caio Borralho made a convincing statement in the middleweight division by defeating Reinier de Ridder via unanimous decision across three rounds. All three judges returned identical 30-27 scorecards, a result that reflected the Brazilian's control over the entire contest, even if de Ridder made things competitive at times.
Borralho, fighting out of the Fighting Nerds camp in Brazil, was the more dangerous striker from the outset. His spearing jab, check hooks, and heavy calf kicks disrupted de Ridder's attempts to build forward momentum, and the former ONE Championship two-division titleholder found himself consistently outgunned in the standup exchanges. An early exchange saw de Ridder overextend and absorb a hard right hand from Borralho that stunned him briefly, setting the aggressive tone for the Brazilian.
While de Ridder did land some solid jabs and a knee up the middle, his offense lacked the power to seriously trouble Borralho. An extended wrestling entanglement late in the first round drained some of Borralho's energy but didn't shift the momentum. In the third round, Borralho secured his first takedown of the fight, pinning de Ridder to the canvas and controlling him with top pressure before de Ridder escaped back to his feet with under two minutes remaining.
The win was a significant bounce-back for Borralho, who had suffered the first loss of his UFC career to Nassourdine Imavov in September 2025. He entered UFC 326 needing a statement performance to maintain his title contention standing, and while the result wasn't flashy, it was convincing. After the final horn, Borralho grabbed the microphone and immediately called out former middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis, who has been on the sidelines since losing the belt to Khamzat Chimaev the previous August.
Bantamweight – Raul Rosas Jr. (USA) vs. Rob Font (USA)
Raul Rosas Jr. def. Rob Font via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Young bantamweight phenom Raul Rosas Jr. continued his ascent through the 135-pound division at UFC 326, delivering a dominant unanimous decision win over veteran Rob Font. All three judges scored every round for the 21-year-old prospect, returning identical 30-27 scorecards that underscored his complete authority over a fighter with significantly more UFC experience.
This bout had originally been scheduled for the co-main event of UFC Fight Night: Lopes vs. Silva in September 2025, but was moved to UFC 326 after Rosas Jr. withdrew with a rib injury. When the fight finally happened, the wait proved worthwhile as Rosas Jr. showcased a well-rounded skill set against the durable and experienced Font. Rosas Jr. neutralized Font's striking range and consistently implemented his grappling game to dictate the terms of engagement across all three rounds.
Font, a seasoned veteran with several notable victories on his record, was unable to find the timing or rhythm needed to mount a serious comeback. He remained competitive and durable throughout, never appearing to be in danger of a finish, but was unable to win a single round on any of the three scorecards. For Rosas Jr., the win signals his readiness to move into serious title contention discussions, and his performance at UFC 326 will only add to the growing belief that he is one of the division's brightest futures.
Lightweight – Drew Dober (USA) vs. Michael Johnson (USA)
Drew Dober def. Michael Johnson via TKO (Punch) at 1:53 of Round 2
Drew Dober delivered one of the most satisfying finishes of the UFC 326 main card, stopping the veteran Michael Johnson with a powerful punching combination in the second round to earn a crowd-pleasing TKO victory. The finish came at 1:53 of round two, and it was the kind of explosive, fight-ending sequence that has long defined Dober's career as one of the lightweight division's most reliable entertainment providers.
Johnson, who entered the fight as a significant underdog, showed toughness and resilience in the opening round, attempting to weather the storm against the hard-hitting Dober. However, Dober's power was simply too much to contain over an extended period. When the finish arrived, it was sudden and decisive, with Dober landing the telling blows that sent Johnson down and prompted the referee stoppage. It was a vintage performance from Dober, whose fight-finishing instincts and punching power remain as sharp as ever at this stage of his career.
Middleweight – Gregory Rodrigues (Brazil) vs. Brunno Ferreira (Brazil)
Gregory Rodrigues def. Brunno Ferreira via KO (Punch) at 1:47 of Round 1
In a brutal all-Brazilian middleweight rematch, Gregory Rodrigues avenged his previous defeat against Brunno Ferreira with a devastating first-round knockout, settling the score from their UFC 283 clash in January 2023. Rodrigues uncorked a thunderous punching combination that sent Ferreira crashing to the canvas at 1:47 of the opening frame, with the finish providing some of the most emphatic violence on the entire UFC 326 card.
The backstory to this fight was rich with narrative, as Rodrigues had been knocked out by Ferreira in their first meeting, with the Brazilian previously replacing Paulo Costa on short notice to score that stunning upset. This time, Rodrigues came in with a clear game plan and executed it flawlessly. The fight barely had time to develop before Rodrigues connected with the sequence that ended matters, the punch landing cleanly on Ferreira's chin and the follow-up ground shots convincing the referee to wave it off.
It was a significant statement win for Rodrigues, who had shown patience and power in equal measure. For Ferreira, it was a harsh reminder of how fine the margins are at the elite level of the UFC middleweight division. The result re-energized Rodrigues's divisional trajectory after what had been a difficult stretch in his career.
UFC 326: Holloway vs. Oliveira 2 – Prelims Results
Bantamweight – Cody Garbrandt (USA) vs. Xiao Long (China)
Cody Garbrandt def. Xiao Long via Unanimous Decision (28-27, 28-27, 28-27)
Cody Garbrandt returned from a nine-month layoff to claim a somewhat chaotic unanimous decision victory over China's Xiao Long in one of the strangest bouts on the UFC 326 prelim card. All three judges scored the fight 28-27 for Garbrandt, though the path to that decision was anything but straightforward, and the result was heavily shaped by a pair of groin shot deductions that ultimately swung the scorecards.
Long Xiao was arguably the busier and more effective fighter for the first two rounds, outworking Garbrandt primarily with consistent leg kicks and controlling much of the pace. However, his night unraveled due to repeated low blows. A massive kick to the groin in the second round left Garbrandt literally vomiting in the cage, prompting the referee to deduct a point. Shortly after, another knee to the groin resulted in a second point deduction. Those two points proved to be the difference on the scorecards.
With the two-point deficit to overcome, Long needed a finish and went hunting for one aggressively in the third, but Garbrandt, now working with the scorecard math on his side, employed a frustrating and at times ungainly defensive strategy that drew the ire of the crowd. While the win does little to restore Garbrandt's former elite status, it gets him back in the winner's column after a difficult stretch in his career.
Middleweight – Donte Johnson (USA) vs. Cody Brundage (USA)
Donte Johnson def. Cody Brundage via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Undefeated middleweight prospect Donte Johnson made it two-for-two in the UFC by defeating the game Cody Brundage via split decision in a competitive three-round middleweight scrap at UFC 326. Two judges saw it for Johnson at 29-28 while one judge favored Brundage by the same margin, reflecting how closely contested the fight was, particularly in the grappling exchanges.
Brundage entered the bout having lost three straight and was widely viewed as a dangerous but diminished opponent for the undefeated Johnson. The veteran made things uncomfortable early, exploiting Johnson's relative inexperience in the grappling department to score in the first round. However, Brundage appeared to tire significantly as the fight progressed, and Johnson capitalized with effective punching in the second and third rounds to take the decision. While Johnson showed some rawness in his approach, his natural ability and unbeaten record suggest he is a fighter worth monitoring as he develops.
Featherweight – Alberto Montes (USA) vs. Ricky Turcios (USA)
Alberto Montes def. Ricky Turcios via Submission (Anaconda Choke) at 0:40 of Round 2
Alberto Montes made an emphatic entrance into the UFC in his promotional debut at UFC 326, submitting Ricky Turcios with a slick anaconda choke just 40 seconds into the second round. The finish announced Montes as a legitimate threat in the featherweight division and left a strong impression on analysts and fans alike who were watching his maiden UFC appearance.
Montes showcased a polished submission game that caught Turcios off guard. The anaconda choke was sunk in quickly and deeply, leaving Turcios little opportunity to escape as Montes applied the squeeze to earn the tap. It was a technically sharp finish that spoke to Montes's training and preparation coming into the biggest stage of his career to that point. At UFC 326, he graded out as one of the more impressive debutants of the night.
Flyweight – Nyamjargal Tumendemberel (Mongolia) vs. Cody Durden (USA)
Nyamjargal Tumendemberel def. Cody Durden via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Mongolian flyweight Nyamjargal Tumendemberel, the fighter with arguably the longest name in UFC history, secured his second consecutive UFC victory by outworking divisional veteran Cody Durden over three rounds at UFC 326. Two judges scored it 30-27 for Tumendemberel while the third had it 29-28, but it was a clear-cut win for the Road to UFC product on all three scorecards.
Tumendemberel showed his versatility in this outing, threatening with guillotine choke attempts in the first round while also controlling the striking exchanges with his length and footwork. Durden, who came in having lost three straight and desperately needing a win, pushed forward and hunted for takedowns with urgency but couldn't produce the grappling success he needed to turn the fight around. Tumendemberel's improved 2-1 UFC record and his performances suggest that a step up in competition is on the horizon, which could reveal a lot about where his ceiling truly lies in the flyweight division.
UFC 326: Holloway vs. Oliveira 2 – Early Prelims Results
Flyweight – Sumudaerji (China) vs. Jesus Aguilar (Venezuela)
Sumudaerji def. Jesus Aguilar via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Chinese flyweight Sumudaerji extended his winning streak to three consecutive UFC victories at UFC 326: Holloway vs. Oliveira 2, defeating Jesus Aguilar by unanimous decision with all three judges returning identical 30-27 scorecards. Known as "The Tibetan Eagle," Sumudaerji used his size, experience, and technical superiority to control the fight from start to finish.
Sumudaerji consistently landed at the end of his attacks, keeping Aguilar on the back foot throughout. He showed grappling superiority in the moments the fight went to the canvas and was the more technical striker during the standup phases. Aguilar, who entered the bout having quietly compiled a 4-2 UFC record, was competitive but never able to trouble the Chinese flyweight at any point. The broadcast team noted that Sumudaerji's aggression grew sharper down the stretch but wondered where that energy had been in the earlier portions of the contest. If he can impose his game plan from the opening bell in future bouts, a run up the flyweight rankings is well within reach.
Light Heavyweight – Diyar Nurgozhay (Kazakhstan) vs. Rafael Tobias (Brazil)
Diyar Nurgozhay def. Rafael Tobias via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
In a closely contested light heavyweight bout, Kazakhstan's Diyar Nurgozhay earned his first UFC victory by unanimous decision over the debuting Rafael Tobias at UFC 326. Two of the three judges scored the fight 29-28 for Nurgozhay while the third returned a 30-27, a reflection of the competitive but uneven battle between the two Contender Series graduates.
Nurgozhay's primary weapons were his left hook and a potent left front kick to the body, which he used to control range and create scoring opportunities. However, his night was not without controversy, as he hit Tobias with an uppercut to the groin, grabbed the fence twice, and was also rocked by a counter punch at a dangerous moment before recovering. Tobias, who had entered on a six-fight winning streak, showed flashes of real quality, including the counter that nearly changed the fight, but was ultimately too passive in his offensive output to capitalize on those moments. The fight was a scrappy, imperfect affair but Nurgozhay gutted out the result he needed.
Light Heavyweight – Rodolfo Bellato (Brazil) vs. Luke Fernandez (USA)
Rodolfo Bellato def. Luke Fernandez via TKO (Left Hook and Ground-and-Pound) at 2:42 of Round 1
The first fight of the night at UFC 326 turned out to be one of the most dramatic, as Brazilian light heavyweight Rodolfo Bellato produced a stunning first-round comeback to stop the highly touted debuting prospect Luke Fernandez via TKO at 2:42 of the opening round.
Fernandez entered the Octagon with enormous expectations, having won a Contender Series fight via a 15-second knockout and boasting a perfect 5-0 record with all victories coming by stoppage. For the first minute and a half of the fight, he lived up to the hype entirely, carving Bellato up with a sharp jab and cross combination that had the Brazilian in trouble and drew blood from a cut near Bellato's left eye. Fernandez appeared to be on the verge of a dominant debut.
Then came the pivotal moment. Fernandez left himself open during a combination, and Bellato responded with a perfectly timed short left hook that landed flush on the chin and sent the formerly undefeated prospect crashing to the canvas. Bellato pounced immediately, unleashing a flurry of rapid-fire punches and hammerfists that left referee no choice but to step in and wave the fight off. It was the ninth first-round finish of Bellato's career, and for a fighter who had endured a winless 2025, it was a badly needed statement result. Fernandez, meanwhile, suffered the first loss of his professional career in difficult circumstances.
UFC 326: Holloway vs. Oliveira 2 – Notable Incidents, Callouts and Controversies
Weight Miss and Fight Cancellation: UFC 326 lost one bout on weigh-in day when featherweight Jeong Yeong Lee failed to make it to the scale for his scheduled fight against Gaston Bolaños. The matchup was subsequently scrapped entirely, reducing the card from 13 fights to 12. It was an unfortunately abrupt end to a bout that had itself been born out of a late change when Yoo Joo-sang withdrew from the original pairing with Bolaños due to a foot injury. The cancellation left Bolaños without a fight and added a layer of frustration to fight week preparation.
Oliveira's Post-Fight Callout: After claiming the BMF belt, Charles Oliveira was given the microphone and used the occasion to call for a last-minute addition to the upcoming UFC White House card, which Dana White had announced earlier that same Saturday. Oliveira's callout added to an already busy post-fight conversation about what comes next for the Brazilian legend. With the lightweight title unification bout between Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje pencilled in for the White House card, Oliveira's next move will be shaped significantly by how that fight plays out.
Borralho Calls Out Du Plessis: Caio Borralho made the most of his post-fight platform by calling out former middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis. 'Dricus du Plessis, where are you boy?' Borralho demanded, delivering one of the more memorable call-outs of the night. Du Plessis has been on the sidelines since losing the middleweight belt to Khamzat Chimaev in August 2025, and a fight against the resurgent Borralho would give the South African a meaningful return bout while potentially positioning the winner for a shot at Chimaev's title.
Streaming Controversy on Paramount+: The debut of the UFC on Paramount+ for the main card was not without technical difficulties. During the third round of the main event, multiple viewers reported a two-minute blackout on the streaming platform, a frustrating experience for subscribers tuning in to what was promoted as a landmark moment in the UFC's broadcast history. While the issue appeared to be resolved, it added to the post-event conversation and raised questions about the technical readiness of the Paramount+ platform for high-traffic live sports events.
Conor McGregor's Reaction: In the aftermath of UFC 326, Conor McGregor took to social media to slam the main event, calling the BMF title fight 'shockingly bad.' The Irish superstar's comments resonated with a section of the fanbase that had expected a more action-packed contest. While McGregor's opinions are always divisive, his reaction captured a broader sentiment among some fans who felt the grappling-heavy main event failed to deliver the fireworks befitting a BMF title fight.
Garbrandt's Groin Shot Drama: The prelim fight between Cody Garbrandt and Xiao Long became one of the talking points of the night for entirely unconventional reasons. Long's repeated low blows—which left Garbrandt vomiting in the cage and earned the Chinese fighter two point deductions—turned what should have been a routine bantamweight bout into a surreal spectacle. UFC broadcaster John McCarthy described how the situation 'was handled beautifully' by the referee, though the episode did little to enhance the quality of the event.
Max Holloway Awarded BJJ Black Belt: In a touching postscript to the event, Max Holloway was awarded a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt by Pedro Sauer in the aftermath of his UFC 326 loss to Charles Oliveira. Despite the defeat, Holloway's willingness to test himself against a submission specialist in Oliveira—and survive the grappling onslaught without being finished—earned him enormous respect throughout the MMA community. The belt recognition served as a powerful testament to Holloway's dedication to the martial arts and his continued growth as a complete fighter even in defeat.
De Ridder's Health Revelations: Ahead of UFC 326, Reinier de Ridder publicly revealed that serious health issues had played a major role in his previous loss to Brendan Allen at UFC Vancouver in October 2025, where his corner stopped the fight at the end of Round 4. At UFC 326 media day, de Ridder disclosed severe anemia and critically low red blood cell counts that had compromised his performance. While the Dutch fighter was healthier for the Borralho fight, the unanimous decision loss has intensified speculation that he may benefit from moving up to light heavyweight, a division where his frame and skills might serve him better.
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