The BMF title is on the road on Saturday, when Max Holloway defends towards Charles Oliveira in a conflict of two true legends. Holloway vs. Oliveira serves as the primary occasion of UFC 326 from T-Cellular Area in Las Vegas.
Holloway and Oliveira have already put collectively Corridor of Fame-worthy resumes, with Holloway a former featherweight champion and Oliveira having held the light-weight championship, along with each males going through most of the better of their technology.
Holloway is defending the title he gained by defeating Justin Gaethje with a now-iconic last-second knockout at UFC 300. He has defended the symbolic title as soon as, taking a transparent choice over Dustin Poirier in his most up-to-date struggle. Sandwiched in between these victories is a knockout loss to Ilia Topuria for the featherweight championship.
Oliveira is the UFC’s all-time chief in finishes (21), submissions (17) and post-fight bonuses (21), making him an ideal challenger for Holloway’s BMF crown.
“It in all probability began at house with my grandpa,” Holloway instructed CBS Sports activities this week. “All the pieces we did, he all the time needed us to be one of the best that we may very well be. Even when it was pulling weeds. From the town I am from — Waianae, Hawaii — a number of guys rely us out. I used to be over it and needed to indicate that nice issues come from Waianae. Now right here I’m.”
UFC 326: How Max Holloway has continued to show Khabib Nurmagomedov fallacious: ‘I did not need a simple journey’
Shakiel Mahjouri
With such an enormous struggle anchoring a card from the world’s struggle capital, there can be loads of curiosity within the fights on the sportsbooks. With that in thoughts, we have as soon as once more checked out all 5 foremost card fights to determine our greatest bets for every.
After going 31-25 for our greatest bets in 2025, we’re sitting at 5-5 after the primary two numbered occasions of 2026. Now we sit up for this weekend, with our solely rule remaining that every one bets should be at odds of -250 or higher. Let’s check out this week’s picks with odds by way of DraftKings Sportsbook.
Gregory Rodrigues vs. Brunno Ferreira
Gregory Rodrigues moneyline (-185)
The primary struggle on the primary card is fascinating for just a few causes. It is a rematch of a January 2023 bout, which Ferreira gained by knockout, and it got here collectively after Paulo Costa pulled out of a deliberate struggle with Ferreira. That first struggle was Ferreira’s debut within the Octagon, and the knockout got here as one thing of a shock. Rodrigues has gone 5-1 because the loss, with Ferreira on a 5-2 run. Rodriguez has a big peak benefit and in addition lands extra strikes per minute, although he absorbs extra strikes per minute as effectively. Rodrigues might be the extra well-rounded fighter, nevertheless, and might extra simply pull wrestling into this struggle, which shades this rematch in his course, no matter how the primary struggle performed out.
Guess UFC 326 at DraftKings Sportsbook, the place new customers get $300 in bonus bets with a profitable $5 wager:
Drew Dober vs. Michael Johnson
Combat to finish by KO/TKO/DQ (-200)
Knockout is the most certainly methodology of victory for each males, in keeping with the chances. Johnson has three knockout losses in his profession to 4 for Dober, not extraordinarily excessive charges, however each males have been pretty susceptible of late. I haven’t got a ton of confidence in both man being the one to get that KO or TKO, however this does have all of the makings of a struggle that ends with the referee leaping in and waiving off the struggle to forestall additional harm. We will merely take the struggle ending by KO for both man at a nonetheless pretty strong -200.
Rob Font vs. Raul Rosas Jr.
Rob Font moneyline (+195)
I is likely to be overthinking this struggle, however Rosas has left me feeling very underwhelmed in his two most up-to-date wins towards Aoriqileng and Vince Morales. Font will not be an elite fighter, however he’s an excellent, very competent one. The record of males who’ve defeated Font principally reads like a “who’s who” of the technology’s greatest 135-pounders. Nonetheless simply 21 years previous, it is too early to know if Rosas matches into that group, and Font additionally may very well be effectively previous his prime at 38. We’re now three years faraway from Rosas struggling a shocking loss to Christian Rodriguez in simply his second UFC struggle, however Font nonetheless seems like a really reside underdog on this one, and it is enjoyable to combine an underdog into one of the best bets. This entire guess rests on Font having the ability to maintain the struggle standing, nevertheless, which is dangerous. Rosas averages 4 takedowns per quarter-hour, whereas Font solely defends takedowns at a 43% clip. Nonetheless, the veteran has the instruments to take it to the teenager in methods none of Rosas’ earlier opponents might.
Caio Borralho vs. Reinier de Ridder
Borralho to win by KO/TKO/DQ or choice (-225)
Have been each males coming off victories, this struggle can be one thing akin to a title eliminator. As an alternative, de Ridder adopted his win over Robert Whittaker with a loss to Brendan Allen, whereas Borralho misplaced to Nassourdine Imavov after defeating Jared Cannonier. Previous to these defeats, each males had been undefeated within the Octagon. these fights, de Ridder’s recreation is the one which causes me essentially the most concern. He light badly towards Allen, and his stand-up will not be nice, even when he was capable of end off Bo Nickal with some spectacular knees. Borralho is best on the ft and can also be a strong Brazilian jiu-jitsu blackbelt who should not be overwhelmed by de Ridder if the struggle hits the bottom. Borralho’s benefit on the ft must be sufficient to shade the struggle in his course, whether or not meaning a knockout or profitable a choice.
Max Holloway vs. Charles Oliveira
Max Holloway moneyline (-220)
I can not keep in mind the final time I picked towards Oliveira, however stylistically, it is a excellent struggle for Holloway. Oliveira’s mixture of excellent hanging and elite submission expertise makes him a tricky out for anybody, however Holloway’s boxing is subsequent degree, and he efficiently defends 83% of takedowns. Oliveira does not have the identical degree of arms as Holloway, and he should shut distance previous these punches if he desires to attempt to drag the struggle to the bottom. It is actually potential for Oliveira to get the job executed, but it surely’s a mighty massive ask towards a fighter who may be very a lot constructed to nullify the Brazilian’s recreation. Over 2.5 rounds is tempting at -175, however a fast end may be very a lot in play for each of those males, so we’ll keep on with the fighter extra constructed to win this particular struggle.
Who wins Holloway vs. Oliveira 2, and the way precisely does the struggle finish? Go to SportsLine now to get detailed picks and evaluation from the incomparable professional who’s up over $21,000 on his UFC picks since Could 19, 2018, and discover out.
