Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Lightweight Champion Charles Oliveira has explicitly stated his intention to challenge reigning BMF (Baddest Motherf***er) titleholder Max Holloway, envisioning the high-stakes encounter as his next significant step after his upcoming bout against Mateusz Gamrot. Oliveira is scheduled to face Gamrot this Saturday at UFC Fight Night in Rio de Janeiro, marking his highly anticipated return to fight before his native Brazilian crowd after a six-year absence.

The pivotal contest against Gamrot carries dual significance for Oliveira. Beyond the emotional homecoming, it represents a crucial opportunity for "Do Bronx" to rebound from his recent knockout loss to current Featherweight Champion Ilia Topuria at UFC 317 in February. That defeat not only ended his immediate quest to reclaim the lightweight title but also snapped a significant winning streak, making the Gamrot fight a critical juncture for his championship aspirations. Oliveira, known for his relentless pursuit of top competition, expedited his return to the octagon specifically to compete in Brazil, demonstrating his commitment to both his fans and his career trajectory.

Speaking to CBS Sports through a Portuguese interpreter, Oliveira articulated his immediate and long-term objectives. "Winning this fight and fighting for the title, whether it’s BMF or the title of the division," Oliveira stated, outlining a clear path forward. "This is a great fight that will propel me toward a title." The call for a BMF title bout against Holloway underlines Oliveira’s desire for high-profile, legacy-defining contests that resonate with the global mixed martial arts audience.

A rematch with Max Holloway presents a multifaceted appeal for Oliveira. It would undeniably serve as a high-profile spectacle, injecting significant momentum into his campaign for another shot at the lightweight championship. Furthermore, it offers Oliveira a profound opportunity for redemption, aiming to avenge a decade-old loss to Holloway from their initial encounter in 2015. "Everyone would love to see the Max [Holloway] fight," Oliveira affirmed. "And I want this to be my next fight." This sentiment reflects a strategic desire to address a past defeat while simultaneously advancing his career in a major way.

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The first clash between Oliveira and Holloway transpired on August 23, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 74 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. At that point, neither fighter had ascended to championship status within the UFC. The bout concluded in a bizarre fashion in the first round, with Holloway securing a victory via TKO (esophagus injury) at just 1:39 into the contest. This unusual outcome, stemming from Oliveira suffering an injury that forced a stoppage, inadvertently contributed to an early, and often unfair, reputation for "Do Bronx" as a fighter prone to quitting. In the immediate aftermath, Oliveira experienced a challenging period, losing three of his subsequent five fights by stoppage, a stark contrast to the dominant force he would later become.

Oliveira’s career underwent a dramatic transformation following his August 2018 victory over Paul Felder. From that point, he embarked on an extraordinary run, securing 11 consecutive wins, predominantly through finishes. This remarkable streak saw him evolve into a "Rocky-esque" figure in the lightweight division, culminating in him capturing the vacant UFC Lightweight Championship by defeating Michael Chandler via second-round TKO at UFC 262 in May 2021. He successfully defended his title against Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje, both submission victories, before ultimately losing it to Islam Makhachev. Oliveira holds numerous UFC records, including the most finishes (20) and most submission wins (16) in the promotion’s history, solidifying his reputation as one of the most dangerous and exciting fighters to ever grace the octagon. His fighting style, characterized by aggressive striking and unparalleled Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, has consistently delivered thrilling performances and collected numerous Fight of the Night and Performance of the Night bonuses.

Max Holloway’s journey since their first encounter has been equally illustrious. His win over Oliveira marked the seventh in a remarkable 11-fight winning streak that ultimately propelled him to become one of the greatest featherweight champions in UFC history. Holloway captured the interim UFC Featherweight Championship by defeating Anthony Pettis in December 2016 and unified the title by stopping then-champion José Aldo in June 2017. He successfully defended his undisputed title three times against formidable opponents such as José Aldo in a rematch, Brian Ortega, and Frankie Edgar, showcasing his relentless volume striking, granite chin, and exceptional cardio. After a brief foray into the lightweight division for an interim title shot against Dustin Poirier at UFC 236 in April 2019, Holloway returned to featherweight, where he continued to compete at the highest level, engaging in memorable battles with Alexander Volkanovski.

Holloway, known for his candid assessments, has previously expressed a willingness to face Oliveira again, while also addressing Oliveira’s claims regarding their first fight’s injury. Speaking on UFC’s "About Last Fight" in July, Holloway responded to Oliveira’s statements: "There’s also Oliveira, I heard he was yapping, saying our first fight was with injuries. He had an injury when we fought. But last time I checked, when they did a follow-up and wanted to find what the injury was, there was no injury report on it. They said he was fine. So I have no idea what the f— he is talking about." This exchange underscores the lingering narrative and competitive tension between the two elite athletes.

Holloway’s most recent outing solidified his status as a major draw and a legitimate BMF champion. At UFC 300 in April 2024, Holloway delivered a spectacular, last-second knockout of Justin Gaethje to claim the ceremonial BMF title. This performance, lauded as CBS Sports’ 2024 KO of the Year, saw Holloway engage in a thrilling five-round war, capped by an iconic final-second knockout that sent shockwaves through the MMA world. The BMF title itself was originally established and awarded to Jorge Masvidal after his victory over Nate Diaz at UFC 244 in November 2019, signifying a fighter’s reputation for grit, excitement, and a willingness to engage in thrilling contests.

However, a potential BMF title clash between Oliveira and Holloway faces a temporary delay. In August, Holloway announced that he had suffered a significant hand injury during his UFC 300 bout against Gaethje, which would sideline him from competition until 2026. This extended recovery period means that any immediate challenge from Oliveira would have to wait, allowing "Do Bronx" to focus on his current tasks and other potential matchups in the interim.

For Charles Oliveira, the upcoming fight against Mateusz Gamrot is paramount. Gamrot (24-2-1, 1 NC), a high-level wrestler and former KSW Lightweight Champion, is currently ranked No. 5 in the lightweight division. A victory over Gamrot would not only cement Oliveira’s position as a top contender but also provide a strong argument for another shot at the undisputed lightweight title, currently held by Islam Makhachev. Gamrot’s grappling-heavy style presents a significant challenge, requiring Oliveira to utilize his defensive wrestling and unparalleled submission game to prevent being controlled, while also seeking opportunities to land his increasingly potent striking. The stakes for Oliveira are immense: a win keeps him firmly in the championship picture, while a loss could significantly hinder his immediate title aspirations.

Looking ahead, a potential BMF title fight between Charles Oliveira and Max Holloway, when Holloway is fully recovered, promises to be one of the most anticipated matchups in UFC history. It pits two of the sport’s most fan-friendly, aggressive, and skilled competitors against each other, each with a point to prove. For Oliveira, it is a chance to rectify a past defeat and add a unique, high-profile belt to his collection, further cementing his legacy. For Holloway, it would be an opportunity to defend his BMF status against an all-time great and potentially make a move towards the lightweight division’s upper echelon upon his return. The stylistic clash—Oliveira’s lethal jiu-jitsu and evolving striking against Holloway’s relentless pressure, volume, and iron chin—guarantees a compelling encounter that would undoubtedly captivate the global mixed martial arts audience.

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