Frankie Edgar has already decided who he sees as having the advantage in the highly anticipated duel between Charles Oliveira and Max Holloway . The Brazilian and the Hawaiian will face off in the main event of UFC 326, in a rematch for the BMF belt. Despite acknowledging the commitment and aggression that characterize both fighters' styles inside the octagon, the former UFC lightweight champion (up to 70,3kg) believes that current form and, above all, the hunger for new achievements could weigh against the 'dark lion'.
In an interview with 'MMA Junkie', Frankie Edgar analyzed the current stage of both athletes' careers and pointed to Holloway as someone experiencing a kind of renaissance. In the veteran's view, the definitive move up to 70 kg has been good for the Hawaiian, since cutting to featherweight (up to 65,7 kg) was excessively arduous. On the other hand, he highlighted Charles's uneven trajectory to the top of the UFC and raised doubts about the Brazilian's level of motivation at this moment.
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“I think Holloway is on a roll, kind of having a resurgence. (70 kg) is definitely his weight class now. I think going down to 66 kg was very taxing for him. Oliveira, I don’t know, sometimes you just wonder. He’s had a career with so many ups and downs until he became champion, and you just wonder if he’s still hungry. That’s what I wonder. I feel like Holloway is still chasing the bone,” said Frankie Edgar.
Charles Oliveira and Max Holloway reveal extra motivation for UFC 326.
Max Holloway defended Charles Oliveira after the Brazilian lost his title. Photo: SUPER LUTAS montage
Max Holloway has gained extra motivation to prepare for and seek victory over Charles Oliveira . In a video published on his official YouTube channel, the Hawaiian explained that the toughness of the training routine is part of the process, but highlighted that his self-confidence and awareness of the time invested are fundamental to keeping him focused. The fighter emphasized that, during training camp, he sacrifices time with his wife and son, just as his coaches also sacrifice family time to be by his side. According to the Hawaiian, recognizing the collective effort of all these people is what drives him to continue dedicating himself fully towards the UFC 326 fight.
“I mean, training is always hard, you know? Everything you do is hard. What keeps me going is just my self-confidence… During this period, I could be spending time with my family, with my wife or my son. I could be doing things with them. My coaches could also be with their families, but they all sacrificed that to be here with me. So, the main thing that keeps me pushing is seeing all the sacrifices that so many people make for me,” declared Max Holloway.
If Max Holloway draws strength from his family, Charles do Bronx summons the energy of his fans for battle. In a post on his Instagram feed, the 'Blurred Lion' shared the official poster for UFC 326 and took the opportunity to call the public to his side, expressing his desire to deliver another impactful performance in the octagon.
"Official UFC 326 poster! March 7th, here we come. I'm counting on your energy so we can put on a great show and shock the world once again!", said Charles do Bronx on his profile.
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