Charles Oliveira’s victory over Max Holloway at UFC 326 has sparked a debate over what the BMF title should represent. Rather than engaging in the kind of wild striking exchanges fans have come to associate with the belt, the Brazilian relied on his grappling to dominate the fight, landing five takedowns and keeping Holloway on the ground for nearly 21 minutes.
Oliveira’s approach effectively shut down Holloway’s trademark pressure and offense, showcasing just how dangerous his ground game can be. However, the one-sided nature of the grappling battle left some fans questioning whether the fight lived up to the BMF title’s reputation for all-out action.
The backlash has extended beyond fans, with Nate Diaz, Conor McGregor, and Khamzat Chimaev among those criticizing the matchup. For them, the belt should represent fighters willing to stand in the pocket and trade heavy shots rather than rely on a grappling-heavy strategy. Previous BMF title fights, including Justin Gaethje’s knockout of Dustin Poirier at UFC 291 and Holloway’s memorable finish at UFC 300, have only fueled those comparisons.
Oliveira has already pushed back against the criticism, but the former lightweight champion is standing firm in his position. “Do Bronx” has now gone a step further, suggesting he would even be willing to give up the BMF title rather than compromise his fighting style just to satisfy demands for a stand-up war.
Charles Oliveira Refuses to Bow to Fan Pressure, Vows to Use Every Weapon in His Arsenal
In a recent interview with MMA Fighting, Oliveira made it clear that outside opinions won’t dictate how he approaches a fight. The former lightweight champion believes he will face criticism regardless of his strategy, so his priority remains doing whatever it takes to get his hand raised.
He said, “Brother, let me tell you something. God Himself couldn’t please everyone, so imagine me. If I go out there and trade punches and get knocked out, I’m stupid because I could have used jiu-jitsu. If I go out there and use jiu-jitsu, then it sucks. What I want to know is what’s on Sherdog. It’s right there: a win or a loss. That’s all I want to know.”
Oliveira also brushed off claims that his fights are boring, and his record speaks for itself. The Brazilian is the most prolific finisher in UFC history, with 21 of his 25 Octagon victories coming by stoppage or submission. Given those numbers, he has little reason to worry about critics who want him to fight differently.
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Moreover, “Do Bronx” pointed out the risks of abandoning a proven game plan just to deliver the kind of action fans expect from a BMF champion. Had he lost to the likes of Holloway or Mateusz Gamrot while chasing a reckless knockout instead of using his full skill set, the consequences could have been significant.
As Oliveira sees it, winning matters not only for his legacy but also for his career, especially in a business where a string of losses can put a fighter’s UFC future in jeopardy.
The Brazilian was equally blunt when discussing the expectations attached to the BMF title. If holding the belt means he must abandon his usual approach and engage exclusively in a striking battle, he would have no problem giving it up.
He boldly said, “Oh, but the BMF fight is about going there and breaking each other up. Then, honestly, brother, here’s the belt. Take it somewhere else. That belt is not for me.”
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For Oliveira, the issue comes down to what mixed martial arts is all about. He considers himself an MMA fighter first and wants to use every weapon available to him, whether that means striking, wrestling, or taking the fight to the ground. He has no intention of limiting himself to one discipline simply to meet outside expectations.
That mindset is unlikely to change when Oliveira returns to defend his BMF title against Diego Lopes at UFC 335. The Brazilian intends to stick to his strengths, use his complete skill set, and focus on winning rather than trying to satisfy everyone watching.
Kshitiz Kumar Singh is a UFC Writer at NY Fights with over three years of experience in sports journalism and content creation. Known for his sharp storytelling and passion for combat sports, he has written in-depth features on stars like Brock Lesnar, Randy Couture, and Ilia Topuria. Before joining NY Fights, Kshitiz worked as a UFC Editor at EssentiallySports while currently serving as a WWE Editor at FirstSportz. His admiration for legends like Georges St-Pierre continues to inspire his detailed and engaging MMA coverage. Whether he’s covering the Octagon or the squared circle, Kshitiz is committed to delivering accurate, high-quality content. Outside the world of sports, he’s a dedicated cinephile, often found practicing monologues from his favorite Al Pacino films, combining his love for cinema with storytelling.
