UFC 326: Oliveira Dims Holloway, Card Falls Flat – Full Fight Grades & Analysis
Las Vegas – UFC 326, held on , delivered a night of mixed martial arts action that ultimately fell short of expectations. While individual performances offered glimpses of promise, the overall card lacked the explosive energy and compelling narratives fans have come to expect from a numbered UFC event. The main event, a BMF title clash between Max Holloway and Charles Oliveira, proved particularly underwhelming, culminating in a grappling-heavy decision victory for Oliveira that left many viewers dissatisfied.
The evening’s struggles weren’t confined to the headline bout. A pattern of lackluster contests and one-sided affairs permeated the card, resulting in a collective grade of D- for the event as a whole. Andreas Hale, a combat sports reporter at ESPN, highlighted the disappointment, noting the event’s failure to deliver on the promise of thrilling matchups.
A Grappling Clinic, Not a Brawl
The highly anticipated BMF title fight between Holloway and Oliveira was billed as a potential “Fight of the Year” candidate. Instead, Oliveira dominated the contest with a relentless grappling attack, securing multiple takedowns and controlling Holloway for the majority of the five rounds. While Oliveira’s technical prowess was undeniable, the fight lacked the striking exchanges and dramatic moments that fans had hoped for. The unanimous decision victory, while technically sound, felt anticlimactic.
Hale observed that the fight’s one-sided nature was its biggest failing, stating that it didn’t live up to the expectations set by the BMF title’s premise. The bout was a showcase of Oliveira’s grappling skills, but it failed to deliver the “baddest” throwdown the title implied.
Bright Spots Amidst the Dimness
Despite the overall disappointment, several fights on the undercard offered moments of excitement. Alberto Montes’ impressive UFC debut against Ricky Turcios stood out, with Montes securing a second-round submission victory. Hale praised Montes’ striking and ability to capitalize on Turcios’ aggression, noting that he is “one to keep an eye on.”
Gregory Rodrigues’ first-round knockout of Brunno Ferreira provided a much-needed burst of energy to the card. Hale described the finish as “violent and beautiful,” highlighting Rodrigues’ ability to exploit a shift in Ferreira’s stance with a perfectly timed right hand. Drew Dober similarly extended his UFC lightweight record for most knockouts with a second-round TKO of Michael Johnson, showcasing his explosive striking power.
Rodolfo Bellato also managed a comeback victory against Luke Fernandez, securing a first-round TKO after weathering an early storm. Hale noted that Bellato looked to be on the verge of a fourth consecutive loss before landing a crucial left hook that turned the tide of the fight.
Underwhelming Performances and Missed Opportunities
However, these bright spots were overshadowed by a series of underwhelming performances and lackluster contests. Caio Borralho’s unanimous decision win over Reinier de Ridder, while technically proficient, lacked excitement, with the fight devolving into a grappling stalemate. Cody Garbrandt’s victory over Xiao Long was marred by repeated low blows, ultimately detracting from the overall quality of the fight.
The fights between Sumudaerji and Jesus Aguilar, and Cody Durden and Nyamjargal Tumendemberel, were also graded as C- or lower, failing to generate significant interest or deliver compelling action. Hale pointed out that Durden’s fight felt full of false starts, and that Sumudaerji’s win was more a result of Aguilar’s shortcomings than his own dominance.
A Night to Forget for the UFC
UFC 326 proved to be a disappointing event for the promotion and its fans. The lack of competitive matchups, coupled with the underwhelming main event, resulted in a card that failed to live up to its potential. Hale concluded that the event set a new low for UFC numbered events, highlighting the need for more carefully curated matchups and a greater emphasis on delivering exciting fights.
The event’s shortcomings raise questions about the future of the BMF title and the importance of prioritizing entertainment value alongside technical skill. While Oliveira’s victory was a testament to his grappling prowess, it ultimately failed to capture the imagination of fans and solidify his status as the “baddest” fighter in the division. As Andreas Hale noted, this was a night the UFC, and its audience, would likely prefer to forget.