At UFC 326, Charles Oliveira delivered a dominant performance in the main event, securing the coveted BMF title. However, his victory sparked a wave of criticism from various fighters and fans who deemed his performance uncharacteristically dull for a BMF championship bout.
The BMF title, previously held by Max Holloway after his spectacular win over Justin Gaethje at UFC 300, is traditionally associated with high-intensity striking contests. Holloway was set to defend it against Dustin Poirier in Poirier’s retirement fight at UFC 318. Oliveira, however, clinched the belt through a grappling-heavy five-round affair that showcased his superior ground skills against Holloway, unsettling many who expected a stand-up war. While the primary objective of any fighter is to win, the nature of Oliveira’s victory diverged from the title’s perceived ethos.
Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz React to UFC 326
Two figures whose careers are famously intertwined, Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz, were quick to voice their similar sentiments regarding the UFC 326 main event.
Nate Diaz, a foundational competitor for the BMF belt from its inception in 2019 when he faced Jorge Masvidal at UFC 244, shared his concise opinion online:
Boring Mother Fuckers
— Nathan Diaz (@NateDiaz209) March 8, 2026
Conor McGregor, ever the center of MMA media attention, especially leading up to the UFC White House announcement that coincided with the UFC 326 event, also weighed in. Despite initial speculation about his potential return on the White House lawn, McGregor dispelled those rumors. He then took to social media to express his views on the BMF title fight:
DC on max on top “he should stall” lol. He should have elbowed all the open targets. payback. “Stall” lol f**k off. Shockingly bad fight. I am shocked. Charles is a little Charlie ahahaha very bad Charles very bad. Hang your head bad. Good luck.
Don’t crown that belt.
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) March 8, 2026
He followed up with a direct challenge:
If they want I’ll spank charlie
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) March 8, 2026
Charles Oliveira Responds
During the post-fight press conference, the newly crowned BMF champion, Charles Oliveira, was directly asked about the comments made by both McGregor and Diaz. When questioned about the prospect of future matchups against them, Oliveira confidently stated:
“You want to put them at 170, you want to put them up there I don’t care, you want to put them at middleweight we do it, it doesn’t matter. I’ll tell you what if you want it make it a Grand Prix two fights same day see what happens.”
Given his impressive resume and the current landscape of the lightweight division, Charles Oliveira might now be looking towards “money fights,” a category that undoubtedly includes a bout with the legendary “Notorious” McGregor. However, a return to the octagon for McGregor often feels more like a speculative dream than an impending reality in recent times.
