Las Vegas Showdown: UFC 326 Predictions and Odds for Holloway vs. Oliveira Rematch

The stage is set for a thrilling encounter at UFC 326, where Max Holloway will put his ceremonial BMF title on the line against Charles Oliveira in the main event. This highly anticipated bout is a rematch of their 2015 fight, which was cut short due to an injury suffered by Oliveira just minutes into the contest. Despite the passing of 11 years, both fighters remain prominent figures in the elite level of the sport, and their showdown will not only determine the BMF champion but also have significant implications for the competitive lightweight division.

A crucial middleweight clash is scheduled for the co-main event, as Caio Borralho and Reinier de Ridder seek to bounce back from recent losses that knocked them out of contention for the top middleweight spots. The winner of this bout will regain momentum and position themselves for a potential title shot, while the loser will face a lengthy and challenging road to recovery.

UFC fans can catch all the action live on Paramount+ without incurring any additional costs, as the platform offers every UFC numbered event and UFC Fight Night as part of its subscription package, starting at $8.99/month or $89.99/year.

With the stage set for an exciting night of fights, let’s delve into the full fight card and examine the latest odds before turning our attention to the expert predictions and picks for the PPV portion of the event.

UFC 326 Fight Card and Odds

Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook (as of March 5):

• Max Holloway (c) -220 vs. Charles Oliveira +170, lightweights (BMF title)
• Caio Borralho -278 vs. Reinier de Ridder +225, middleweights
• Raul Rosas Jr. -238 vs. Rob Font +195, bantamweights
• Michael Johnson -122 vs. Drew Dober +102, lightweights
• Gregory Rodrigues -185 vs. Brunno Ferreira +154, middleweights
• Xiao Long -162 vs. Cody Garbrandt +136, bantamweights
• Donte Johnson -800 vs. Cody Brundage +550, middleweights
• Alberto Montes -180 vs. Ricky Turcios +150, featherweights
• Nyamjargal Tumendemberel -148 vs. Cody Durden +124, flyweights
• Su Mudaerji -230 vs. Jesús Santos Aguilar +190, flyweights
• Rafael Tobias -185 vs. Diyar Nurgozhay +154, light heavyweights
• Jeong Yeong Lee -325 vs. Gaston Bolanos +260, featherweights
• Luke Fernandez -230 vs. Rodolfo Bellato +190, light heavyweights

UFC 326 Predictions and Picks

The CBS Sports team, comprising Brian Campbell, Brent Brookhouse, Shakiel Mahjouri, Michael Mormile, and Brandon Wise, has made their predictions for the main card.

Max Holloway vs. Charles Oliveira Predictions

Campbell: The matchup between Holloway and Oliveira has all the ingredients for an explosive encounter. However, Holloway’s subtle advantages, including his youth and fresher appearance, may prove to be the decisive factors. Oliveira’s propensity for creating chaos early in the fight could ultimately lead to his downfall, as Holloway’s technical striking and defensive capabilities may allow him to weather the storm and secure a TKO victory.

Brookhouse: The pairing of Holloway and Oliveira is a dream matchup for fans, and their skills make for a compelling contest. Holloway’s superior striking and takedown defense, which has been successful over 80% of the time, may pose significant challenges for Oliveira. While Oliveira boasts excellent submissions, his path to success will be fraught with difficulty, and Holloway’s advantages on the feet may ultimately lead to his victory.

Mahjouri: Holloway has experienced a resurgence at lightweight, complementing his volume striking with increased power. This newfound potency could spell trouble for Oliveira, who relies on close-quarter chaos to finish fights. Holloway’s takedown defense and overall durability may prove too much for Oliveira, leading to a successful title defense for the BMF champion.

Caio Borralho vs. Reinier de Ridder Predictions

Campbell: Both fighters are seeking to rebound from recent losses, which may lead to a more cautious approach from one or both competitors. Borralho’s striking advantage and sufficient ground game may allow him to outmaneuver de Ridder, who has struggled with cardio and striking issues throughout his career.

Brookhouse: The winner of this bout will reestablish themselves as a potential title contender, while the loser will face a difficult road to recovery. Borralho’s ability to shift through gears and maintain pressure on de Ridder may prove decisive, as de Ridder’s issues with cardio and striking have been well-documented.

Mahjouri: This fight is a tough call, as Borralho’s well-rounded skills and strong grappling base make him a formidable opponent. However, de Ridder’s size and physicality may allow him to overpower Borralho on the ground. Despite being the underdog, de Ridder’s odds may be too wide, and he may be able to secure a victory in a closely contested bout.