UFC 326: Preview and suggested bets for Max Holloway vs Charles Oliveira and more
The UFC returns to the storied T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 7.
Two fan-favourites and veterans lead the line-up as Max Holloway and Charles Oliveira are set to slug it out for the BMF (‘Baddest Motherf**ker’) belt, which Holloway currently holds.
Besides a tantalising main event, the schedule is filled out with thrilling match-ups that fans will want to keep a keen eye on. I’ll be watching from early.
It has been a while since we’ve done this, apologies, but I think these bouts are going to be interesting to discuss. Yours truly, Sports News Blitz’s Finn Littlewood.
Drew Dober vs Michael Johnson
Our first pick of the event is a lightweight match-up between two veterans of the organisation, who boast a combined 57 fights in the UFC.
With both coming off the back of victories, I must admit it’s hard to pick a winner here.
Each fighter is also known for their star knockout power and impressive durability, so this one promises to be a scorcher.
Suggested bet: Drew Dober to win
Rob Font vs Raúl Rosas Jr.
We have another veteran of the organisation here as Rob Font looks to recover from a loss in his previous bout against David Martinez.
The 37-year-old has a strong reputation in the UFC and is currently 13th in the bantamweight rankings.
Once an extremely promising talent, Raúl Rosas Jr. has formed a string of confident victories and is currently sitting on a four-fight win streak.
The Mexican will hope to break into the official rankings with a win this weekend but should be asked a lot of questions by the boxer from Boston.
I remember watching Rosas’ first fight and thinking what an absolute nutter he was, but he was very sharp and only 18 at the time so I hope he can keep this momentum with a win here.
Suggested bet: Raúl Rosas Jr. to win
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Caio Borralho vs Reinier de Ridder
This bout will be explosive, I have no doubt.
Borralho is one of my favourite fighters to watch, despite him being a traditional grappler.
He used to rely heavily on it early in his career, but his striking has hugely improved in recent fights.
I cannot hear De Ridder’s name without thinking of ‘The Riddler’ from Batman, and he might have to use some tricks to beat this unstoppable force.
That being said, Borralho did suffer a pretty rough defeat in his last fight, as did De Ridder actually, which shows he can be beaten.
De Ridder is fairly new to the UFC but has made a name for himself in various different European MMA promotions, so he could lean on his experience to search for victory here.
Suggested bet: Caio Borralho to win
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Max Holloway vs Charles Oliveira
This fight is a win-win for me, maybe for other fans too, as I absolutely adore both of these fighters and would be delighted if either one won.
Two elite-level martial artists and future hall of famers take to the octagon on Saturday night, and the world will be watching as these two rarely miss a beat.
The lightweight division is a tricky one at the minute, with Ilia Topuria seeming to be a level above the rest of the field.
Topuria has previously defeated both Holloway and Oliveira, and Gaethje won the interim lightweight title in February with a win over Paddy Pimblett.
Former featherweight champion Holloway bounced back with a win over Dustin Poirier last summer, and Oliveira did the same with a submission victory over Mateusz Gamrot in October.
Time for another run at the title is running out for this pair as Topuria looks likely to continue his domination of the lightweight division unless he moves up to welterweight for a superfight against Islam Makhachev.
For me, Holloway has looked the more impressive fighter in the past few years, with some big victories over divisional veterans, whereas Oliveira has suffered heavier losses and struggled with injuries.
Suggested bet: Max Holloway to win
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