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Charles Oliveira’s ‘hunger’ questioned ahead of UFC 326 fight against motivated Max Holloway

Originally posted on Bloody Elbow | By Harvey Leonard | Last updated Feb 12, 2026 9:02 PM ET

UFC legend Frankie Edgar has some worries about Charles Oliveira’s mindset.

The Brazilian ex-champion will make his return in the main event of UFC 326 in Las Vegas on March 7.

Oliveira will challenge BMF champion Max Holloway at T-Mobile Arena, as ‘Do Bronx’ looks to add the symbolic belt to his illustrious résumé on MMA’s biggest stage.

At 36 years of age, he is in pursuit of regaining the lightweight title. Oliveira lost the championship on the scale after missing weight ahead of his victory over Justin Gaethje in 2022.

That marked an anticlimactic end to his reign, which was the culmination of an incredible career resurgence. But unlike during his once-unlikely rise to the top, Edgar isn’t sure Oliveira has the required desire to do it again.

Frankie Edgar is unsure if Charles Oliveira is ‘still hungry’

Edgar knows what it takes to reach the top of the lightweight division, having done so over a decade before Oliveira joined him in the club of 155-pound champs.

During an appearance on The Bohnfire podcast with MMA Junkie’s Mike Bohn, ‘The Answer’ looked ahead to Oliveira’s rematch with Holloway.

While he sees the BMF champ as charging back to the top, he does not see the same motivation in ‘Do Bronx’.

“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 (pounds) was too taxing on him.

“Oliveira, I don’t know, sometimes you just wonder,” he continued. “He had such an up-and-down type of career until he became the champion, and you just wonder if he’s still hungry.

“That’s what I wonder. I feel like Holloway is still chasing the bone.”

Justin Gaethje would be open to Charles Oliveira or Max Holloway rematch

After becoming interim lightweight champion at UFC 324, Gaethje seemingly set up a unification showdown with Ilia Topuria.

But should the Spaniard’s return from a hiatus be delayed or not come at the American’s desired return date at the White House on June 14, ‘The Highlight’ has other options.

Speaking to Bloody Elbow, Gaethje pointed to the Holloway vs. Oliveira winner as a potential next opponent, admitting he would like the chance to get a loss back after being knocked out by ‘Blessed’ and submitted by ‘Do Bronx’.

“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 if the opportunity is there on that stage, I’ll be ready.

“I’d absolutely love to get that one (with Holloway) back. Max is a legend and I respect him a lot, and if that fight lines up, I’d take it in a heartbeat,” he added.

This article first appeared on Bloody Elbow and was syndicated with permission.

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