TLDR
- Alexander Volkanovski predicts Max Holloway will knock out Charles Oliveira at UFC 326 in Las Vegas
- Volkanovski cites Oliveira’s chin vulnerability and Holloway’s improved power as key factors in his prediction
- Oliveira enters as a +172 underdog but claims he’s a completely different fighter than their 2015 first meeting
- Holloway won the BMF title with a knockout of Justin Gaethje and defended it against Dustin Poirier
- Both fighters see the bout as a stepping stone toward a lightweight title shot
Sources: BJPenn.com | CBS Sports | MMA Fighting | Bloody Elbow
Former featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski has made a clear prediction for Saturday’s UFC 326 main event. He expects Max Holloway to knock out Charles Oliveira in their BMF title fight at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Volkanovski pointed to specific technical advantages that he believes will lead to Holloway’s victory. The Australian fighter emphasized Holloway’s improved power and striking volume as key factors in the matchup.
According to Volkanovski’s breakdown, Oliveira’s chin remains a vulnerability that Holloway can exploit. He expects the Hawaiian to land heavier shots as the fight progresses, eventually securing a knockout finish.
Volkanovski also predicts Holloway will successfully defend takedowns from the Brazilian grappler. He sees Holloway’s superior footwork and endurance wearing down the former lightweight champion over time.
Oliveira Confident Despite Underdog Status
Oliveira enters the fight as a +172 underdog on FanDuel, while Holloway is listed at -225. Despite the odds, the Brazilian has expressed full confidence in his striking abilities.
“I truly believe in the power in my hands that I can knock out Max Holloway,” Oliveira said on UFC 326 Countdown. “It’s time to go all in and see who the real BMF is.”
Oliveira claims he is a completely different fighter than when the two first met in 2015. That fight ended in the first round when Oliveira suffered a neck injury at a Fight Night event in Saskatoon.
“When I first fought Max, I was just a jiu-jitsu kid,” Oliveira explained. “Now, I’m a complete MMA fighter. My jiu-jitsu is sharp, my striking is on point, and my wrestling is solid.”
The Brazilian says he plans to move forward and hunt for the knockout throughout the fight. He believes a win would put him back in contention for a lightweight title shot.
High Stakes for Both Fighters
Holloway won the BMF title with a dramatic last-second knockout of Justin Gaethje at UFC 300. He then defended the ceremonial belt with a decision victory over Dustin Poirier at UFC 318.
The Hawaiian sees this fight as a step toward an undisputed lightweight title shot. “He called me out, and he’s actually a step in the right direction to become a world champion,” Holloway told Daniel Cormier.
Oliveira captured the lightweight title at UFC 262 with a win over Michael Chandler. He defended it against Poirier before losing the belt on the scales when he missed weight for his UFC 274 fight against Gaethje.
Holloway previously held the featherweight title from 2017 to 2019, making three successful defenses. He lost the belt to Volkanovski in December 2019 and failed to reclaim it in a recent attempt against Ilia Topuria.
Volkanovski’s prediction comes from his extensive experience fighting Holloway multiple times during their featherweight rivalry. He expects Holloway to weather an early storm from Oliveira before taking control in the later rounds.
Both fighters have combined for the most wins ever in a UFC main event matchup. Holloway promised “fireworks” for fans tuning in Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena.
