Charles Oliveira is prepared for a stand-up fight against Max Holloway in the main event of UFC 326, scheduled for March 7th, in a bout for the BMF title. Despite fans and experts suggesting ground fighting as the safest strategy for the Brazilian, he insists he doesn't intend to back down if the Hawaiian repeats his now-traditional gesture of pointing to the center of the octagon and inviting his opponent to exchange blows.
In partnership with ' CasinoBeats ', the former lightweight champion (up to 70,3kg) reinforced that his stance is not about provocation or staging. Confident in his versatility, Charles do Bronx highlighted that he considers himself a complete fighter and that he is willing to fight in any area, whether striking or taking the fight to the ground. According to him, if Holloway challenges him to a stand-up fight, he is prepared to test who has greater firepower inside the octagon.
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“Many people thought it was trash talk or a joke, but it wasn’t. I’m an MMA fighter, a complete fighter. If it’s time to exchange blows, I’ll exchange blows. If it’s time to take it to the ground, I’ll do it. If he calls me out (for a striking exchange), I’ll stand right in front of him. Let’s see who has more firepower. I’m ready,” said Charles do Bronx.
Charles do Bronx prepares for a fierce exchange of blows at UFC 326.
In a video posted by athlete Bruno Gafanhoto on social media, Charles do Bronx appears during a training session pointing to the center of the octagon, in a gesture similar to that used by Holloway in his fights. Immediately after the provocation, the Brazilian engages in a fierce exchange of blows with his training partner, simulating exactly the situation that could occur in the BMF fight.
Pointing to the ground is Max Holloway's trademark in the UFC.
Max Holloway became BMF champion at UFC 300. (Instagram UFC)
Although he first made the gesture in 2016 when he defeated Ricardo Lamas, Max Holloway immortalized the act of pointing to the ground at UFC 300 in 2024. On that occasion, the Hawaiian was facing Justin Gaethje and, after dominating his rival for five rounds, he called him to the center of the octagon in the last 10 seconds of the fight, ending the duel with a knockout.
MAX HOLLOWAY HAS JUST PUT JUSTIN GAETHJE OUTCOLD
HOLY SHITTTT #UFC300 pic.twitter.com/i9aWXIYgvf
— bradley (@cactusbr4d) April 14, 2024
Holloway repeated the feat at UFC 319 against Dustin Poirier . However, after landing a powerful sequence of strikes, 'The Diamond' opted to clinch, avoiding the greater risk of being knocked out in the final moments of the fight.
Holloway called for the center and Poirier farted lol
— José Louis (@concatenarsim) July 20, 2025
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