The UFC 2026 season press conference had a huge surprise for the fans. While everyone expected the fighters from the first two numbered events of 2026 to be in attendance last night, the promotion had big plans.
They announced just before the start of the season press that Charles Oliveira and Max Holloway will lead it again next year, as rumors had suggested last week.
After the press conference began and all fighters took their places, Jon Anik announced that the headliner of UFC 326, live from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on March 7, 2026, will be a rematch between Holloway and ‘do Bronxs’ with the BMF belt on the line.
When the Brazilian and ‘Blessed’ last clashed a decade ago in 2015, Oliveira was injured and unable to continue, with Holloway winning by round 1 TKO.
Over the years, both fighters have evolved and Oliveira is now one of the most decorated mixed martial artists and a former UFC lightweight champion. On the other hand, Holloway considers himself the greatest boxer in the promotion.
After being eliminated by Ilia Topuria, Holloway and Oliveira both won in their subsequent appearances. Blessed” stems from a hand injury he suffered during his trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier earlier this year. Oliveira, on the other hand, scored a dominant submission victory against Mateusz Gamrot in October.
Charles Oliveira addresses whether he will make another UFC lightweight title shot soon
Charles Oliveira was asked during the season press conference if he will get his lightweight title back and find a new title contender after beating Max Holloway. ‘Do Bronxs’, said:
“A wounded lion is still a lion. All I’m focused on is the win. I’m focused on the next fight and the win. All I want now is to fight Max Holloway… And if God wants it and that’s his wish, I’m going to get a shot at the title.”
Watch Charles Oliveira’s comments below (15:30):
Charles Oliveira last fought for the vacant 155-pound championship earlier this year against Ilia Topuria and was knocked out cold in round 1 by ‘El Matador’. However, he got back into the win column a few months later, with a submission victory over Mateusz Gamrot, as previously mentioned.
Except for UFC 326, the promotion also announced all remaining Fight Night dates and locations for the first quarter of 2026.
Check them out below:
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