UFC 326: Holloway v Oliveira 2
UFC 326 Recap: Standout Fights, Knockouts, and What’s Next
What’s up, fight fans! UFC 326 just went down last night, and man, there was a lot to talk about. From big knockouts to solid ground games, this card had it all. I want to break down the event for you guys, sharing what I saw, the moments that stuck out, and a few tips and takeaways for fighters and fans alike. Whether you missed the fights or want to relive the best moments, you’re in the right place. Let’s dive right in!
UFC 326: A Night to Remember
UFC 326 packed in all the best parts of MMA: crafty veterans, up-and-coming young bloods, vicious knockouts, and some impressive technical displays. If you’re like me and eat, sleep, and breathe this sport, these are the nights you live for.
Let’s break it down, fight by fight, with a look at the gameplans, momentum swings, and highlight moments.
Cody Garbrandt's Fight: Kicks, Comebacks, and a Bit of Controversy
First up on the card that caught everyone's attention was Cody Garbrandt against Long Xiao.
Early Rounds and Action:
Cody had some solid moments, used his wrestling, landed sneaky elbows, and got the crowd on their feet with a couple of takedowns. But make no mistake, his opponent was not backing down.
One of the biggest problems Cody faced? That lead leg. Long Xiao showed a ton of old-school martial arts knowledge, especially with his lead leg—mixing up roundhouse kicks to the inside leg, body, and even head. A couple sidekicks sneaked through, too. You could really tell he brought that traditional martial arts background into the cage and wasn’t afraid to showcase it.
The results were obvious halfway through—Cody was hurting from those powerful leg attacks. And not just that, Garbrandt got rocked in the first round with a flush head kick that had fans worried for a second.
Fouls and the Low Blow Issue:
Here’s where the fight got a little controversial. Long Xiao repeatedly landed low blows. Let’s be real: you can’t just keep hitting below the belt and expect the ref to let it slide. After three, the ref had no choice but to step in and take a point away.
“You can't repeatedly low blow somebody and expect the points to not be taken. They're going to take points away if you do it three times like he did.”
Props to the ref for keeping things fair, and congrats to Cody for toughing it out and getting back in the win column. He needed that one, and the fans were definitely pumped for his victory.
Gregory Rodrigues Knockout: Power Display
Next up was one of the most electric moments of the night: Gregory Rodrigues' knockout. If you want to see a dude with real power, you gotta give this fight a watch.
How It Happened:
Gregory set up the KO with a short, sharp right hand. It came straight from the cheek, no wind-up, direct, and pinpoint accurate. It was old-school technique but with serious snap—a reminder that the basics, when done right, always work.
His opponent made a rookie mistake: switching stance while in range. As soon as the switch happened, Gregory pounced and landed clean.
Takeaway for Fighters:
Switching stances is a cool tool to add to your kit, but if you’re in range where your opponent can hit you, you leave yourself wide open. The best way to switch is to do it at a distance or while moving out—not in the pocket.
“When you switch stances with someone, you cannot do it within range. He was within range to be hit. He basically switched and got hit immediately.”
Gregory’s KO win was a reminder to never lose focus, even for a split second.
Drew Dober vs. Michael Johnson: Classic Banger
This fight had hype written all over it—and it delivered! Both Drew Dober and Michael Johnson are seasoned UFC vets. I was fighting in the UFC when these guys were making waves, so I knew it was going to be fireworks.
Fight Breakdown:
Michael Johnson was as quick and smooth as always. He was light on his feet, bouncing in and out, changing angles like a pro. If you like slick boxing in MMA, you’d enjoy how Johnson was moving.
But Dober was patient. He waited for his moment, set the traps, and let his hands go at the perfect time.
The Finish:
Drew landed a textbook 3–2 combo (right-left), and really put his weight behind that left. It landed flush and shut the lights out. It was clean, sharp, and an excellent example of how sticking to fundamentals can get the job done.
“Drew Dober was patient and just set him up and hit him with a 3, 2 basic combo and leaned in, really committed to the left hand big time, and landed it, and big knockout for him.”
I’ve got nothing but respect for both guys for still being in the UFC, doing their thing, and entertaining the fans.
Raul Rosas Jr. vs. Rob Font: Old School vs. New School
Now, this was the classic “old vs. new” matchup. Raul Rosas Jr. is the young gun on the rise, and he looked every bit the part. Rob Font, the seasoned veteran, wanted to show he’s still got what it takes.
How the Fight Played Out
Rosas Jr.’s Gameplan:
He went heavy on the takedowns—and was really successful. His timing, setups, and follow-through on the mat were all on point.
Rob Font’s Approach:
Font kept playing guard from the bottom. For the non-grapplers out there: playing guard means you’re on your back looking for submissions. Font was clearly going for submissions from bottom position, but sometimes that’s a risky move against someone as sharp as Rosas.
“It's very hard to submit people from the bottom at a high level. It does happen, but it's hard, guys, to submit someone who has a really good top game and is very aware of submissions.”
Key Takeaway
The bottom line: you need a dynamic guard to catch someone at a high level, and Rosas just wasn’t giving any openings. He’s looking better every fight, and if he keeps developing, he’s got a bright future ahead.
Props to Rosas for showing the new generation is here, and for Font for always going for it.
Caio Borralho—The Fighting Nerds Show Out
What I Saw:
Caio Borralho looked fantastic. He was extremely well-rounded, and to be honest, he brought something different to the octagon.
Standout Skills
- Diverse Striking: Hands down by his hips, firing shots from unexpected angles.
- Leg Kicks: Chopped the opponent down with some of the most effective leg kicks of the night.
- Transition Skills: When the fight hit the mats, he dominated top position and shut down all submission attempts.
Fighting with your hands down can be a bit dangerous, but sometimes, if you’re athletic enough and time it well, you can get away with it and catch guys off guard.
“He was using his attributes at very athletic, shooting punches from his hip. It can be dangerous fighting with your hands down like that, but it also brings the punches from different angles that people aren't used to.”
On the Ground
Once it hit the floor, all the slick submissions were getting shut down. Positional dominance, ground control, and a clear decision win. Big ups for the Fighting Nerds team.
Main Event: Holloway vs. Oliveira
Here we go—the main event that everyone was waiting for: Max Holloway vs. Charles Oliveira. This one had a lot of eyes on it, and both fighters were bringing serious skills and a huge fan base into the octagon.
Ground Control and Sub Defense: Holloway Tested
A lot of folks expected a striking battle, but this fight turned into more of a ground game chess match. Oliveira really leaned into his BJJ (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu) edge, especially in the second and third rounds.
“It was more of a ground control game versus anything. Props to Holloway for defending the submissions.”
The Big Story:
For two straight rounds, Holloway was in major trouble, stuck in defending rear-naked choke attempts. Oliveira had the back, working for the finish, but Holloway showed a ton of heart and composure.
Managing to survive that long against someone like Oliveira? That’s impressive. Holloway didn’t give in, kept his chin down, hand-fought, and waited for his chance to escape every time.
But…Take Down and Ground Trouble
Honestly, I was surprised Holloway got held down and controlled so easily on the mat. For most of his career, Max has been tricky to pin down—a tough guy to outwrestle or submit.
But the blueprint showed up: Oliveira’s wrestling and top control, mixed with submission attacks, forced Holloway to defend for most of the fight.
“I was surprised Holloway got held down and taken down and dominated that easily on the ground. But also, I'm going to be honest with you, I've been surprised. That hasn't happened before because Holloway is not a big guy for the weight class.”
Holloway usually gets by on height, slickness, and attitude, but size-wise, he’s not a giant for the division. Oliveira found ways to make that count—smothering, applying pressure, and picking his moments to strike or pass guard.
Oliveira’s Smart Tactics
Oliveira played it smart—why stand toe-to-toe with one of the best MMA boxers in the game when you’ve got the biggest BJJ advantage in the division?
He used the feet to set up the clinches and takedowns, and once it hit the floor, the fight was all about his world-class submission game.
“Wasn't a lot of exchanges on the feet and did a good job of landing his shots on the feet and then going back to the grappling immediately. Smart on his part, very smart on his part.”
Final Thoughts & What’s Next
Wrapping up UFC 326, we got to see a true mix of styles and skills. We saw victories earned with smart tactics, patience, and persistence, plus some highlight-reel knockouts.
Here’s what stood out from the night:
- Never underestimate the basics. Sometimes short, straight punches are all you need.
- Mixing it up matters. Whether striking or grappling, changing levels, and switching things up confuses opponents—just make sure you don’t do it in range!
- Defending submissions at the top level is an art. Holloway’s heart kept him in it for way longer than most could handle against Oliveira.
- Size and gameplans count. Sometimes, fighting “smart” is the best strategy. Knowing when to stand, when to grapple, and how to blend your skills is what makes champions.
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