Max Holloway

BIOGRAPHY

Deriving his roots from Native Hawaiian and Samoan backgrounds, Jerome Max Kelii Holloway, simply known as Max, was born on 4th December 1991 in Honolulu, Hawaii. He was brought up in a troubled environment in a place known for fist fighting — Waianae. Both his parents were struggling with drug addiction, with his mother, Missy Kapoi, being a crystal meth user who eventually recovered, while his father, Mark Holloway, abandoned their family when Max was just 11.

Not letting his past control his future, Holloway started shaping his destiny and emerged as an MMA fighter. He initiated his training in kickboxing at Team Ruthless towards the end of his sophomore year when he was just 15. After a fast-paced training period of three days, he had his first taste of victory in his inaugural amateur bout. In 2010, he completed his high school education from Waianae High School.

By the age of 19, Holloway had created an impressive record of 4-0, being identified as the #7 featherweight prospect of 2012, according to the 2012 World MMA Scouting Report by Bloody Elbow. He was lauded for his unique fighting style, incorporating flying and spinning kicks, knees, and elbows into his game, drawing comparisons with Anthony Pettis, the former UFC lightweight champion. He went on to cross paths with and defeat Pettis, consequently seizing the UFC featherweight championship.

Holloway’s stepping stone into the MMA was his split decision victory over Harris Sarimento, a former Strikeforce and WEC veteran, on 12th March 2011. This led him to clinch the lightweight strap for the X-1 promotion, based in Hawaii. At UFC 143 in February 2012, Holloway made his UFC debut as a last-minute replacement, exhibiting his indomitable spirit. He was pitched against Dustin Poirier; although Holloway lost in the inaugural round, this proved to be a powerful launching pad for his career.

Following his maiden loss, Holloway demonstrated an inspiring recovery, defeating fighters like Pat Schilling, Justin Lawrence, Leonard Garcia, and many others. These victorious pursuits gained him the honor of being the youngest fighter to achieve 10 victories in UFC history.

Holloway’s next hurdle was Anthony Pettis in December 2016 for the interim UFC Featherweight Championship at UFC 206. Despite Pettis being overweight for the championship fight, Holloway continued the fight. Defeating Pettis via TKO in the third round earned him the Performance of the Night honor.

He continued his winning streak by defeating José Aldo in June 2017 in a title unification bout at UFC 212. Holloway later signed a new multi-fight deal with UFC on October 4, 2017.

Throughout 2018, Holloway faced several challenges, including defending his title against Brian Ortega, Tony Ferguson, and even making a swift replacement for Edgar at UFC 222. Challenges kept arriving in 2019 as he prepared to face Dustin Poirier for the interim UFC Lightweight Championship, whereby he had to step up a weight class.

Despite enduring setbacks in his career, Holloway persistently returned stronger. In one of his most commendable performances, Holloway dominated Calvin Kattar for all five rounds to secure a unanimous decision win at UFC on ABC 1. His performance shattered several UFC records and created new ones for total strikes and significant strikes landed and attempted, amongst others.

Time couldn’t put a damper on Holloway’s spirit. As of August 2024, the rising star was placed #2 in the UFC featherweight rankings, #9 in the UFC lightweight rankings, and #11 in the pound-for-pound rankings.

Carrying the reputation of a relentless warrior, Holloway has demonstrated how one’s past doesn’t define their future but their actions do. From growing up amidst adversity in Waianae’s streets to dominating the octagons globally, Max “Blessed” Holloway has evolved into a commendable avatar of determination, resilience, and perseverance.

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Who Is Max Holloway's Wife?
Max Holloway's wife is Hawaiian pro surfer Alessa Quizon, whom he married on April 16, 2022.

What Is Max Holloway's Record?
Max Holloway's record stands at 25 wins, 7 losses, and 0 draws.

Who Is Max Holloway's Next Opponent In His Upcoming Fight?
Max Holloway's next opponent in his upcoming fight is The Korean Zombie, set to take place at UFC Fight Night on August 26, 2023.

What Is Max Holloway's Age?
Max Holloway is 32 years old.

What Is Max Holloway's Height?
Max Holloway's height is 5′ 11″.

What Does Max Holloway's Back Tattoo Look Like?
Max Holloway's back tattoo features a beautifully feathered angel wing on the left side and a rough, spiked demon wing on the right side.

What Is Max Holloway's Net Worth?
As of 2023, Max Holloway's net worth is unknown.

Will There Be A Match Between Max Holloway And Korean Zombie?
The match between Max Holloway and Korean Zombie has already taken place at UFC Fight Night on Saturday, August 26, 2023 where Holloway emerged victorious.