Max Holloway accepts Charles Oliveira's BMF callout with three-word message teasing potential return date
Today at 07:23 PM
BMF titleholder Max Holloway responded to Charles Oliveira’s recent pitch for a rematch 10 years in the making.
Max Holloway hasn’t defended the BMF belt since winning it with one of the most shocking knockouts in UFC history at UFC 300 last April. But 10 years after battling Charles Oliveira in the featherweight division, the two of them are now UFC fan favorites, and the timing behind a potential rematch seems perfect for later this year.
Oliveira, who is in the mix for a potential lightweight title shot against Islam Makhachev, recently called out Holloway for a shot at the BMF belt in an interview. Makhachev might not be able to return to the Octagon until late in 2025, after defeating Renato Moicano in the UFC 311 main event last weekend.
Oliveira and Holloway headlined a 2015 UFC Fight Night card with Holloway earning a TKO win in the first round. Three fights later, Holloway earned the interim UFC featherweight belt by knocking out Anthony Pettis at UFC 206.
It didn’t take long for Holloway to notice Oliveira’s callout.
Max Holloway bashes online troll after responding to Charles Oliveira’s callout
After X account Championship Rounds shared Oliveira’s quotes, Holloway seemed to accept the idea of facing Oliveira next.
“International Fight Week?” Holloway tweeted.
International Fight Week this year is expected to take place in either June or July, although nothing has been formally announced by the promotion. That timeframe has also been proposed for the potential lineal heavyweight title fight between Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall.
After one fan questioned why Oliveira wouldn’t wait for Makhachev, Holloway hit back.
“Charity? Ha lost in a different division. The one before that I beat the guy who was suppose to fight for the belt next?” Holloway replied.
Holloway is coming off a UFC featherweight title fight loss to Ilia Topuria at UFC 308; the first time in his career that he was knocked out in the Octagon. After the loss, Holloway announced he’ll never fight at featherweight again, and will likely compete at lightweight for the remainder of his career.
Max Holloway prepared to defend BMF belt for UFC return
Oliveira most recently defeated Michael Chandler in a ‘Fight of the Year’ candidate at UFC 309 in November. He bounced back after a split decision loss to Arman Tsarukyan, who was supposed to co-headline UFC 311 against Makhachev, in the prior bout.
Oliveira is looking to get another shot at Makhachev after losing by submission at UFC 280. He bounced back with a finish of Beneil Dariush at UFC 289 last June.
After a third featherweight title loss to Alexander Volkanovski, Holloway seemed lost at sea in his career before the knockout win over Justin Gaethje at UFC 300. Although he earned recent featherweight wins over The Korean Zombie and Arnold Allen, many wondered whether or not Holloway would ever earn a world championship again.
A Holloway vs. Oliveira BMF showdown would feature two of the biggest fan favorites in the UFC, which is what the belt is all about. We could get more clarity on the two former UFC champions’ returns to the Octagon in the coming weeks, especially after their recent back-and-forth.
