Charles Oliveira is standing firmly behind his game plan after a dominant BMF title victory over Max Holloway at UFC 326.
Oliveira defeated Holloway by unanimous decision, earning 50-45 scores across all three judges’ scorecards and capturing the BMF belt in the process. Some fans, however, took issue with his grappling-heavy approach instead of a prolonged striking battle.
Responding to that criticism, Oliveira pointed directly to the backlash he received after his knockout loss to Ilia Topuria. “If I’d stood and traded with Max Holloway like I did in other fights and got knocked out, what would you have said?” Oliveira said. “I know: ‘Stupid as f--k, not using his jiu-jitsu.’ Because when I got knocked out by [Ilia]Topuria, everyone said the same thing: ‘Stupid as f--k, all he had to do was grapple.’”
“How do you want me to fight?” he continued. “Pick one way and stick to your word until the end. Because the same people who criticized me when I lost saying I was stupid as f--k are criticizing me now because I used jiu-jitsu. Truthfully, it’s a bunch of clueless people with nothing to do, who haven’t got the guts to get up and wash a pair of pants or underwear, and stay online talking rubbish. That’s the reality.”
Oliveira also framed his approach as part of how he sees the modern game, saying, “Today, MMA is for the man who thinks, for the man who studies,” and, “For the clever one who knows what he’s going to do so he doesn’t make mistakes. If you make mistakes, you end up getting screwed.”
