Conor McGregor declared Saturday that there is “zero BMF” about the UFC 326 main event and stated he is “supremely confident” he would beat Max Holloway or Charles Oliveira. Those comments arrived as the two fighters prepared to meet for the BMF title in Las Vegas, pulling the former two-division champion back into the UFC spotlight.
McGregor Rates Himself Above the BMF Contenders
McGregor stated he is “supremely confident” he stops Holloway and Oliveira, framing his potential return as superior to the UFC 326 matchup itself. His self-assessment rests on power-shot finishing ability, which has historically neutralized elite cardio and submission threats in the early rounds.
The picture is more layered, though. Holloway’s chin and cardio have been tested at the highest level. Oliveira’s ground game presents a real threat to McGregor’s takedown defense. McGregor’s last octagon appearance ended in a first-round TKO loss, so his confidence draws a sharp counterargument from the MMA community.
Film of his best performances shows a fighter who lands power shots in tight, uses feints to create space, and exits exchanges cleanly. His left hand and fight IQ at close range remain his two sharpest tools. One fair reading of these comments is that they function as promotional positioning rather than a formal call-out. He has not confirmed a return date, and without a licensed fight agreement, the words land as competitive signaling rather than a scheduled challenge.
The UFC 326 BMF Title Fight: What the Numbers Reveal
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Max Holloway and Charles Oliveira compete for the BMF title in Las Vegas on Saturday night. The belt carries no divisional ranking implications. Both fighters bring legitimate submission and striking credentials, making this one of the more layered bouts on the 2026 calendar.
Holloway, the former featherweight champion, enters with a track record of high-volume striking and elite octagon control. Oliveira, the former lightweight titleholder, ranks among the most dangerous submission artists in UFC history. The numbers behind Oliveira’s finishing record — the most submission wins in UFC history per available records — illustrate why his ground game draws serious concern from any opponent. The contest was confirmed on schedule after both fighters made weight at the UFC 326 weigh-ins.
One bout was pulled from the card following the weigh-in process, cutting the total number of scheduled fights. Holloway and Oliveira completed a nose-to-nose faceoff at the pre-fight ceremony, with both men appearing sharp.
Michael Chandler Out of McGregor’s Return Plans
UFC CEO Dana White stated that Michael Chandler is no longer in consideration as McGregor’s next opponent, closing the door on a pairing discussed for over a year. That shift forces the UFC matchmaking office to identify a new target for McGregor’s comeback. The winner of Saturday’s main event now appears among the most logical candidates available.
Chandler had been tied to McGregor through a lengthy build. The two sat on opposite sides of the coaching desk on The Ultimate Fighter. The collapse of that pairing leaves a gap the UFC must fill before McGregor can return. Holloway and Oliveira each offer the narrative contrast needed to generate pay-per-view interest around the Irishman.
White’s confirmation that Chandler is out was direct and unambiguous. No replacement opponent has been named. McGregor’s commercial value depends on a credible, high-profile opponent, and the UFC has a clear incentive to move fast once Saturday’s result is known.
What Follows for McGregor After Saturday’s Result
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McGregor’s next step depends on the UFC 326 outcome and on when he secures a licensed return to competition. With Chandler out, the fighter who wins Saturday becomes the most prominent available name near McGregor’s preferred weight class. The UFC has not confirmed a return date for McGregor, so any matchup timeline stays open.
From a promotional standpoint, a McGregor bout against either man carries pay-per-view appeal. Holloway’s finishing rate and fan following make him a natural box-office draw. Oliveira’s submission threat creates a stylistic contrast that would fuel debate about McGregor’s ground game. The UFC’s matchmaking office will track the Saturday result before committing to any formal negotiation.
McGregor’s biggest commercial moments have come when the opponent is both technically credible and personally compelling. Whoever wins in Las Vegas checks at least one of those boxes, and the tape from Saturday will give the UFC’s matchmakers a clear picture of what a McGregor fight against that winner could look like.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Conor McGregor say about UFC 326?
McGregor said there is “zero BMF” about the UFC 326 main event and stated he is “supremely confident” he would beat Max Holloway and Charles Oliveira.
Why is Michael Chandler no longer McGregor’s planned opponent?
UFC CEO Dana White stated that Chandler is no longer in consideration for McGregor’s return, though no detailed reason was provided in available sources.
What is the BMF title being contested at UFC 326?
The BMF belt carries no divisional ranking implications. Holloway and Oliveira compete for it in the UFC 326 main event in Las Vegas.
When does Conor McGregor return to the UFC?
The UFC has not confirmed a return date for McGregor as of the time of this report.
