The Daniel Cormier Show: UFC 326 Post-Fight Reaction – Oliveira Dominates Holloway for BMF Title

Podcast: The Herd with Colin Cowherd (The Daniel Cormier Show)
Date: March 8, 2026
Host: Daniel Cormier
Main Topic: DC Reacts to Charles Oliveira’s dominant victory over Max Holloway for the BMF Title at UFC 326, with discussion of key fights on an action-packed card and insights into the future of fighters and the meaning of the BMF title.

Episode Overview

Daniel Cormier recaps an electrifying UFC 326 event in Las Vegas, focusing on Charles Oliveira’s comprehensive win against Max Holloway to claim the BMF title. DC breaks down the fight’s details, examines what the title and "BMF" concept really symbolize, and highlights other pivotal moments from the card. He also touches on inspiring fighter stories and teases forthcoming content, including a discussion on Alex Pereira’s shot at becoming a three-division champ.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Charles Oliveira vs. Max Holloway: The BMF Title Fight

• Oliveira’s Gameplan & Execution
  • Oliveira dominated Holloway from start to finish, securing repeated takedowns and controlling the ground game.
  • Cormier notes, "Charles Oliveira went to the Octagon tonight and completely dominated Max Holloway from the very start of the fight to the very end of the fight. He just was a better fighter." (03:08)
• Max’s Struggles
  • Holloway was unable to get back to his feet for nearly the whole fight: “When Charles got Max down, Max never got up. He never got back to his feet one time for 24 minutes.” (04:17)
  • However, Max’s submission defense was praised as a rare positive: "He fought off of his back for, I mean, 23 minutes and Oliveira never got that close to submitting him." (09:39)
• Evolution of Oliveira
  • DC draws a line from Oliveira’s previous defeat to Ilia Topuria: “For Tapori to do what he did to Oliveira… it’s even more impressive now after what Charles has done now in his two fights since losing to Ilia.” (08:19)
  • Highlights Oliveira’s career resiliency: “Not less than a year ago, he got knocked out… for the lightweight championship. And now he’s the BMF champ less than a year after that." (08:39)

2. What Does the BMF Title Represent?

• Original Meaning vs. Expectations
  • Cormier questions whether the BMF belt should represent pure brawling or fighting smart: "Is that what the BMF stands for?… When you get the BMF title on the line, you’re looking for bangers… but is that really what it was meant to be? I don’t know." (06:51)
• Community & Fighter Reactions
  • Reference to Michael Chandler lobbying for “stand and bang” only BMF title fights.
  • DC sides more with championship-level skills and strategy, but recognizes “the general consensus is when you get the BMF title on the line, you’re looking for bangers.” (07:38)

3. Other Notable UFC 326 Fights and Performances

• Kyle Bahalo vs. Reinier de Ridder
  • Bahalo earns a big win, showing new motivation and resilience in the third round.
• Raul Rosas Jr. vs. Rob Font
  • Rosas Jr. wins via decision thanks to multiple takedowns; “If you’re Rosas Jr. you’re heading in the right direction.” (11:08)
• Drew Dober vs. Michael Johnson
  • Massive KO: “Dober threw a right hand hook and a left hand down the middle. That put him completely out. It was nasty.” (11:30)
• Gregory Rodriguez vs. Bruno Fajeda
  • Selected as Cormier’s “Total Wireless Performance of the Night”:

    “Gregory Rodriguez knocked him out with one punch, put him down with one right hand. No follow up shots needed, ended the fight. It was amazing…” (11:56)

• Cody Garbrandt vs. Xiao Long
  • Two points deducted from Xiao Long for low blows; Garbrandt “back in the win column and ultimately that’s what matters.” (12:33)
• Other Fighters & Notable Stories
  • Dante Johnson’s raw talent
  • Alberto Montes' inspiring backstory and predicted submission win
  • Acknowledgement of several up-and-coming fighters: Sumadarji, Nur Gazai, Raphael Mulatto, and more.

4. Personal And Community Highlights

• Daniel Cormier on CBS
  • Emotional gratitude from Cormier about making it onto CBS from humble beginnings:

    “We grew up in Lafayette, Louisiana… Today I actually got to go on CBS… I am living a dream and obviously I worked hard to get here. But it’s the people that support me, like every one of you, that allows for these things to happen for me." (13:38)

5. Looking Ahead: Teased Content and Potential Storylines

• Upcoming Topics
  • DC teasing a deep-dive video “discussing this White House car part” (context: likely an inside MMA reference/post-fight ritual)
  • Speculation: “Can Alex Pereira become a three division champion? That is nuts. We'll discuss that also…” (14:26)
  • Upcoming episode with Sugar Sean O’Malley.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Oliveira’s Dominance:

  “Pure domination by Charles Oliveira.” (05:08)

• On BMF Belt Expectations:

  “BMF is also just the continuation of extension, of winning and putting yourself in position to become a world champion. But… when you get the BMF title on the line, you’re looking for bangers.” (07:12)

• On Holloway’s Defense:

  “His submission defense… I don't know that we've ever seen a guy on the bottom versus Oliveira for as long as he spit on the bottom and not get submitted.” (09:39)

• On CBS Opportunity:

  “Today I actually got to go on CBS free TV… I am living a dream and obviously I worked hard to get here. But it’s the people that support me… that allows for these things to happen for me." (13:38)

Timestamps of Important Segments

• [03:08] — Start of detailed breakdown of Oliveira vs. Holloway (fight analysis, dominance, strategy)
• [07:12] — DC questions the meaning and expectations of the BMF title
• [08:19] — Reflection on Ilia Topuria’s win over Oliveira and its context after this fight
• [09:39] — Praise for Holloway’s submission defense
• [11:08]–[12:56] — Recap of major undercard fights, notable KOs, and performances
• [13:38] — Personal moment: Cormier’s gratitude for community and career milestones
• [14:26] — Teasers: White House card, Alex Pereira three-division champ discussion, upcoming Sean O’Malley episode

Episode Flow & Tone

Cormier’s analysis is insightful, passionate, and sprinkled with gratitude for the MMA community. He mixes technical breakdown with personal anecdotes, ensuring fans get both a fighter’s insight and a pundit’s broader perspective. DC also keeps things conversational, engaging the audience and regularly soliciting fan opinions (“You guys tell me in the comments”). His tone is enthusiastic, humble, and always approachable.

Final Thoughts

This episode is a complete and direct post-fight reaction that MMA fans will love—especially those interested in ongoing debates about the "BMF" title’s significance and the skills and stories behind the athletes. Cormier’s blend of technical fight analysis and personal narrative keeps the listener both informed and entertained.