Charles Oliveira stands out as one of the most electrifying and relentless fighters in UFC history. After his performance at UFC Fight Night in Rio, Oliveira has set his sights on testing his grit against another fierce competitor, the BMF champion Max Holloway. But here's where it gets controversial—this isn’t just any matchup; it’s a clash between two warriors whose styles promise fireworks and rekindled rivalry.
This Saturday in Rio de Janeiro, Oliveira will face Mateusz Gamrot at UFC Fight Night. This bout carries significant weight for two key reasons: it's Oliveira’s first time stepping into the Octagon on Brazilian soil in six years, and it serves as a crucial opportunity for him to bounce back after his knockout loss to Ilia Topuria. Known as “Do Bronx,” Oliveira has eagerly rushed to get back in the cage in his home country, signaling that his next ambition is to secure yet another championship belt.
"Winning this fight puts me right in the running for another title shot, whether it's the BMF belt or the lightweight championship," Oliveira told CBS Sports via a Portuguese interpreter. "This fight is a huge step forward toward that dream."
The prospect of a rematch between Oliveira and Holloway ticks many boxes—it's a fight with massive visibility that could elevate Oliveira's standing in the lightweight division while giving him the chance to redeem himself from a decade-old defeat. Back in 2015, Oliveira and Holloway met before either had claimed UFC gold. Their fight ended unexpectedly when Holloway won due to an esophagus injury Oliveira suffered in the first round—a result that unfairly painted Oliveira as someone who gave up early. This controversial finish overshadowed Oliveira’s career for years, as he suffered three stoppage losses in his next five fights.
However, Oliveira's career took a remarkable turnaround after his fight with Paul Felder. He went on an 11-fight winning streak, finishing most opponents and eventually capturing the lightweight title in a truly “Rocky”-style rise. On the other hand, Holloway’s victory over Oliveira was part of an 11-fight win streak that cemented his legacy as one of the best featherweights in UFC history.
Holloway himself has expressed openness to rekindling their rivalry, especially following his win over Dustin Poirier—a bout that marked Poirier’s retirement. But Holloway didn’t hold back his skepticism about Oliveira’s claim that injuries influenced their first fight. "I heard Oliveira saying our first fight was affected by injuries," Holloway said during UFC's "About Last Fight" segment at UFC 318. "But last time I checked, the follow-ups showed no injury reports; he was cleared. I have no clue what he’s even talking about."
You can watch the full interview with Oliveira for deeper insights into his mindset.
The plot thickens as Holloway announced in August that a hand injury from the fight with Poirier would keep him out of competition until 2026. Despite this setback, Holloway recently captured the ceremonial BMF title at UFC 300 with a last-second knockout of Justin Gaethje—an electrifying finish that CBS Sports crowned as the 2024 KO of the Year. The BMF title itself originally went to Jorge Masvidal after his win against Nate Diaz at UFC 244.
This brings up an intriguing question: With Oliveira eager for a shot to reclaim glory and Holloway holding the BMF belt but sidelined by injury, who truly deserves the next fight? Does the saga between these two fighters have unresolved chapters, or is it time to move on? The debate is wide open, and the UFC fans are watching closely—what do you think? Do you side with Oliveira’s call-out or Holloway’s stance on their past fight’s controversy? Dive into the comments and let the conversation begin!
