UFC legend Frankie Edgar raises doubts about Charles Oliveira’s mindset before his next fight. The Brazilian former champion returns in the main event of UFC 326 in Las Vegas on March 7. Oliveira will face BMF champion Max Holloway at the T-Mobile Arena as “Do Bronx” aims to add the symbolic belt to his already impressive résumé on MMA’s biggest stage.
At 36, he continues his pursuit of regaining the lightweight title. He lost the championship on the scale before his victory over Justin Gaethje in 2022. That incident marked an anticlimactic end to his reign, which followed an incredible career resurgence. Edgar now doubts Oliveira has the same drive that fueled his rise to the top.
Edgar doubts Oliveira’s motivation as Holloway surges
Edgar understands what it takes to reach the top of the lightweight division. He won the belt more than a decade before Oliveira joined the elite group of 155-pound champions. During an appearance on The Bohnfire podcast with MMA Junkie’s Mike Bohn, Edgar discussed the matchup and highlighted contrasting trajectories. He sees Holloway as a fighter on a renewed rise but does not see the same hunger in Oliveira.
“I think Holloway is on a tear, kind of like a resurgence a little bit,” Edgar said. “Lightweight is definitely his weight class now. I think going down to 145 was too taxing on him.” He added: “Oliveira, I don’t know, sometimes you just wonder. He had such an up-and-down career until he became champion, and you just wonder if he’s still hungry. That’s what I wonder. I feel like Holloway is still chasing the bone.”
Gaethje open to rematch with Oliveira or Holloway
After becoming interim lightweight champion at UFC 324, Justin Gaethje set up a potential unification fight with Ilia Topuria. If Topuria delays his return or misses Gaethje’s desired date, Gaethje has other plans. He wants to fight on the White House card on June 14 and mentioned the Holloway versus Oliveira winner as a logical opponent. He admitted he wants revenge for past losses to both men.
“If Ilia can’t go, then the winner of Max vs Charles at the White House would be the one that makes sense,” Gaethje said. “That’s the card I want to be on. I’m not chasing anyone else, but I’ll be ready if the opportunity is there.” He added: “I’d absolutely love to get that one back. Max is a legend and I respect him a lot, and if that fight lines up, I’d take it in a heartbeat.”
