This is an amazing matchup and exactly what the BMF belt is for. We have the all time significant strike king vs the all time finish king.
As you know this is a rematch from 2015 and if all you do is look at records, you would see that Max Holloway won by TKO, but that isn't exactly how that went down. Really nothing much happened and then about a minute and a half into the fight Charles shot a takedown and somehow hurt his neck so the fight was waived off. This is a rematch on paper, but the first fight wasn't even a fight. And honestly, even if it was, it was so long ago that this would get broken down fresh anyway. This is an outstanding fight. Two tremendous fan favorites who we know will scrap. At this point I assume you've seen the footage of Charles literally practicing the Max Holloway point down and I love that. i also think it might be a bit of fools gold. I assume Charles will wrestle here. Why wouldn't he? Theres a clear advantage on the ground and his wrestling has looked fantastic as of late. I think if Charles wrestles, he wins this fight. Because not only is he the better grappler, he has fantastic striking that will open up with the takedown attempts.
Max is an all timer and his volume is next level insane but it seems like people get sucked into his world and are perfectly happy striking with him. Charles Oliveira is a grizzled vet with high fight IQ. He wrestled Chandler, tried to wrestle Topuria and wrestled Gamrot. I have to assume he will do the same here. Before you spam that Max has great takedown defense, which i agree with, this isn't specifically about Charles getting a couple takedowns, its about what shooting for takedowns does to the dynamic of the entire fight. As of right now, a month away from this event. I am slightly leaning Charles in what is likely an absolute banger but for the love of God, picks can change, and if you are watching this on fght week, i promise you, we have put out much newer videos so check those.
Max Holloway
Max Holloway is an amazing striker with very fluid movements that keep his volume and pressure up. He is the all time Significant Stirke king and has put up astronomical numbers. He rounds it all out with with an 83% takedown defense and an entire championship career worth of experience. He was a staple at 145lbs where his only losses in the last 10 years were to volk and Ilia. He is coming off the decision win over Dustin Poirier to be the first person to ever defend the BMF belt.
Charles Oliveira
Charles Oliveira is one of the most well rounded and talented guy in the UFC. He has incredible kickboxing skills with laser accuracy, his kicks are deadly and he throws to your legs, your body and your head. He averages over 2 takedowns per 15 minutes and has some of the most practical BJJ in the UFC. What really separates him from the rest of the division is his ability to snap up a submission in any scramble which is reflected in the record books because he has the most amount of submission wins in UFC history. He is also massive for this weight class and uses that size to own the clinch. He is coming off the submission win over Mateusz Gamrot.
