Charles Oliveira open to slugfest with Max Holloway in UFC 326 headliner

Charles Oliveira claims he’s willing to get into a brawl with Max Holloway if he has to.

Oliveira and Holloway are set to collide in the main event of UFC 326 on March 7. The bout will be contested for Holloway’s BMF Championship. This won’t be the first time the two collide, as they had a bout that ended prematurely back in 2015. “Blessed” won the fight quickly due to an injury suffered by Oliveira.

Both men have gone on to have Hall of Fame-worthy careers and are ready to mix it up inside the Octagon again. While Oliveira’s standup has grown substantially over the years, Holloway remains one of the best strikers in MMA. Many believe it would be wise for the Brazilian legend to avoid getting into a slugfest, but Oliveira told MMAJunkie that he wouldn’t mind doing so.

“I’ll be very honest, a lot of people thought it was trash talk or a joke, but it wasn’t,” Oliveira told MMA Junkie (h/t CasinoBeats). “I’m an MMA fighter, a complete fighter. If it’s time to trade, I’ll trade. If it’s time to take it to the ground, I’ll do that. The fight starts standing, and I trust my boxing and my muay Thai. If he calls me forward, I’ll stand right in front of him. Let’s see who has more firepower. I’m ready.”

That comment likely sounds like music to Holloway’s ears. “Blessed” has been known for daring his opposition to stand and trade with him at the center of the Octagon. He might do the same with Oliveira if the fight goes into deep waters.

Oliveira is coming off a submission win over Mateusz Gamrot at UFC Rio. Holloway is also coming off a victory, as he defeated Dustin Poirier in “The Diamond’s” retirement fight.

Do you see Charles Oliveira trading with Max Holloway at UFC 326? Tell us in the comment section below.